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Watch Live: The seminars are held in the James L. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters and broadcast live on NASA TV (select the "Education Channel" from drop-down box) on the date of each seminar.
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The Challenges and Progress in Development of Shape Memory Alloys for Solid-State
Date: August 28, 2008, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Presented By: Dr. Ronald Noebe, materials research engineer, NASA's Glenn Research Center
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This wire, fabricated from a high-temperature shape memory alloy developed at NASA's Glenn Research Center, represents the first confirmation of an alloy with actuator capabilities above room temperature -- in this case, 300 degrees Centigrade -- and processed into a useful form. Credit: NASA
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Shape memory alloys are a unique group of materials that remember their
original shape and return to that shape after being strained. While the
biomedical industry has taken advantage of the highly unusual pseudo
elastic behavior of shape memory alloys for numerous medical devices,
the aerospace, automotive, and energy exploration industries, in
particular, could benefit from exploiting shape memory behavior.
When the shape memory effect is correctly harnessed, these materials
become a lightweight, solid-state alternative to conventional actuators
such as hydraulic, pneumatic, and motor-based systems. Their small
footprint but high energy density can aid the development of adaptive
aero structures that will improve aircraft performance and fuel economy
and reduce aircraft noise and emissions.
The range of potential applications for adaptive structures expands
dramatically as the temperature capability of shape memory alloys
increases beyond the current state of the art of about 100 degrees
Centigrade. This seminar will explore the challenges in development of
new shape memory alloys, within the context of a detailed description of
the mechanisms and basic behavior of these remarkable materials. It will
include an overview of some recent activities in the development of
high-temperature shape memory alloys, and review some recent
demonstrations of shape memory alloys designed for use in aeronautic
applications.
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