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Shape change/memory actuators based on shape memory materials

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Abstract

Major techniques currently available to implement typical shape memory materials (such as shape memory alloys and polymers) for three basic types of shape switching actuations—one-time shape memory actuation, cyclic shape memory actuation and cyclic shape change actuation—were explored in detail. Typical actuators corresponding to these three types of actuations are systematically discussed. Possible combination of different types of shape memory materials/shape change materials and/or different stimuli for actuators with novel functions, which are not easily achievable, in particular at small scale, using conventional approaches, is presented to reveal the great potential of shape memory material based actuators in engineering applications. We provide a road map to guide engineers in the process of evaluation and selection of the right type of mechanism to meet the requirement(s) of a particular application.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Nanyang, 639798, Singapore

    Christianto Renata, Wei Min Huang, Le Wei He & Jing Jing Yang

Authors
  1. Christianto Renata
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  2. Wei Min Huang
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  3. Le Wei He
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  4. Jing Jing Yang
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wei Min Huang.

Additional information

Recommended by Associate Editor Heung Soo Kim

Christianto Renata obtained his Bachelor’s in Materials Science and Engineering from National University of Singapore, Singapore and M.Sc. in Polymer Materials Science & Engineering from University of Manchester, United Kingdom. He is now a Research Associate under Dr. W. M. Huang on Smart Materials, a project under the NTU-BMW program.

Wei Min Huang is currently an Associate Professor with the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. His Ph.D. is from Cambridge University, UK. His research is mainly on shape memory materials and technology.

Le Wei He obtained his Bachelor’s in Engineering Mechanics from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, PR China. He is now a Ph.D. student in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Jing Jing Yang received her Bachelor’s in Engineering from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. She did her final year project on 3D/4D printing.

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Renata, C., Huang, W.M., He, L.W. et al. Shape change/memory actuators based on shape memory materials. J Mech Sci Technol 31, 4863–4873 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-017-0934-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-017-0934-2

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