Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Actuators: The Role of Material, Form, and Scaling Effects

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are smart materials that are widely used to create intelligent devices because of their high energy density, actuation strain, and biocompatibility characteristics. Given their unique properties, SMAs are found to have significant potential for implementation in many emerging applications in mobile robots, robotic hands, wearable devices, aerospace/automotive components, and biomedical devices. Here, the state-of-the-art of thermal and magnetic SMA actuators in terms of their constituent materials, form, and scaling effects are summarized, including their surface treatments and functionalities. The motion performance of various SMA architectures (wires, springs, smart soft…

• NS
  National Science Foundation
• NR
  National Research Foundation
• SN
  Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung

  Award: 200021L_197017
• IU
  Inha University
• KI
  Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials

  Award: NK236C
• NR
  National Research Foundation of Korea

  Awards: 2021R1A4A2001824, Nos. NRF-2021R1A2B5B03087094, NRF-2020R1G1A1099734, NRF‐2021R1A2B5B03087094, NRF-2018R1A5A7023490, NRF-2021R1A2B5B03087094, NRF‐2020R1G1A1099734, NRF‐2018R1A5A7023490, NRF‐2021R1A4A2001824, NRF-2021R1A4A2001824, 2020R1A4A1018227, 2021R1A2B5B03087094, NRF‐2020R1A4A1018227, 2018R1A5A7023490
• MO
  Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea

  Awards: 2021R1A4A2001824, 2021R1A2B5B03087094, 2018R1A5A7023490, 2020R1A4A1018227, NRF-2021R1A2B5B03087094, NRF-2021R1A4A2001824
• HE
  H2020 European Research Council

  Award: 771565