Shape Memory Effect Actuators from Chlorides

Shape Change Technologies is developing a radical new technique for the fabrication of Shape Memory alloys, such as TiNi and its ternary alloys of Hf, Zr, and Cu. The technique utilizes these components as chloride feedstock, which are then decomposed onto a substrate. As the technique involves atom by atom mixing, the microstructure should be both pure and single phase, improving the fatigue life over diffusion-based fabrication methods. This technique also allows for user selected transformation temperatures over a wide temperature range, user selected external forms and internal geometry allowing for fast acting, high power actuators. By making thin foams and sheets, vibration isolation sheets can be used for integration into composite materials. The technique is a radical departure from conventional ingot processing, and will enable applications in high and low temperature actuator and switches in engines, and for thermal energy recovery systems in commercial applications.