Submit your Abstracts: http://bit.ly/SmartMaterialsAbstract
   

 Types of Smart Materials

Piezoelectrics:
Piezoelectric materials convert electrical energy to mechanical energy and vice versa. They offer a wide range of utility and can be used as actuators (provide a voltage to create motion), sensors, such as many accelerometers, and energy harvesters since the charge generated from motion can be harvested and stored. Common applications for piezo materials are BBQ igniters and actuators for inkjet printer heads. Midé has successfully commercialized energy harvesters, haptic actuators, piezo valve actuators, and flow control devices.

Shape Memory Alloys:

The most commonly available Shape Memory Alloy is Nitinol, which was originally developed by the Naval Ordinance Laboratory. SMA’s have the ability to change phase as a function of temperature, and in that process generate a force or motion. They are capable of relatively high energy but move slowly. Typically applications include morphing structures, thermal triggers, and some high strain energy absorbing applications. Advanced materials still under development include magnetically activated shape memory alloys.

Magnetostrictive:

Similar to piezoelectric materials that respond to changes in electrical fields, this class of materials responds to changes in magnetic fields and can perform as an actuator, or sensor if deformed. While they can work well, they exhibit a large hysteresis which must be compensated when using the material in sensor applications.
   

Comments