Special Issue "Application of Shape Memory Alloys"

A special issue of Crystals (ISSN 2073-4352). This special issue belongs to the section "Crystal Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2021.

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Luigi Manfredi
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Medical Science and Technology (IMSaT), Division of Imaging and Technology, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
Interests: endoscopic robots; shape memory alloy actuators; soft robots; control hardware; bio-inspired robots
Special Issues and Collections in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Shape memory alloys (SMA) are smart materials that can change shape by an external stimulus, whether mechanical, magnetic, thermal or electrical. They are well known for being biocompatible, used to design miniaturised actuators with high force to weight ratio, as well as for sensors applications. However, as actuators, low energy efficiency, hysteresis, complex control, structural fatigue, and over-heat are major concerns. Wide is the range of applications, varying from medical devices, consumer electronics, automotive, avionics, and many others. This Special Issue aims to present original contributions as well as review articles on SMA applications. This includes but is not limited to the design of novel actuators, sensors, robotic systems, and medical devices.

Dr. Luigi Manfredi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Crystals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • Shape memory alloy
  • robotics
  • control of SMA
  • medical devices
  • SMA actuators
  • SMA sensors

Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

Article
Development of an Actuator for Translatory Movement by Means of a Detented Switching Shaft Based on a Shape Memory Alloy Wire for Repeatable Mechanical Positioning
Crystals 2021, 11(2), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst11020163 - 06 Feb 2021
Viewed by 381
Abstract
Actuators based on the shape memory effect have recently become more and more economically important due to the many advantages of shape memory alloys (SMAs), such as their high energy density. SMAs are usually used to control the end/maximum positions, thus the actuators [...] Read more.
Actuators based on the shape memory effect have recently become more and more economically important due to the many advantages of shape memory alloys (SMAs), such as their high energy density. SMAs are usually used to control the end/maximum positions, thus the actuators always move between two positions. The repeatable control of intermediate positions has so far proven difficult, because in most cases, external sensors are necessary to determine the length of the SMA element. Additionally control strategies for SMA actuators are rather complex due to the non-linear behavior of this material. The SMA actuator presented here is able to control intermediate positions with repeatable accuracy without the need of a separate control technology. The integrated control unit is based on a mechanical principle using a shaft with a circumference groove. This groove has a height profile that turns the shafts rotation, generated by the SMA, into a translational movement. Therefore, the SMA wire generates a partial stroke at each complete activation, turning the shaft partially. With several activation cycles in a row, the stroke adds up until reaching the maximum. A further activation cycle of the wire resets the actuators stroke to its initial position. Each part of the stroke can, thereby, be controlled precisely and repeatedly within the scope of each complete cycle of the actuator. Based on an integrated ratchet, each stroke of the actuator can hold energy free. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Shape Memory Alloys)
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