Measurement and Modeling of Thermomechanical Behavior of Shape Memory Alloys with Emphasis on Thin Films Primary Researchers: Vassilis Panoskaltsis Department of Civil Engineering Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA E-mail: vpp@po.cwru.edu, Tel. (216) 368-2778 Robert L. Mullen Department of Civil Engineering Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA E-mail: rlm@po.cwru.edu, Tel. (216) 368-2423     National Science Foundation award information   Abstract:  An interdisciplinary program will study the fabrication and mechanical properties of shape memory alloys (SMA) with emphasis on thin films. Such films have applications to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS);  SMA have been shown to be the actuation method with the largest energy density     when compared to other micro actuation methods. Thus, the development of rational design procedures for SMA microactuators is needed if the potential of SMA in MEMS is to be realized. To develop such a design procedure we propose the following five major tasks:  Task 1: Development of measurement methods for thin film SMA.  Task 2: Development of processing/property relationship for thin film SMA. Task 3: Development of constitutive relations for SMA.  Task 4: Development of design tools and material data base. We seek to provide a sound mechanics base for SMA actuators MEMS devices. In addition, we seek to provide a sound materials science  base relating processing parameters to SMA microstructures and SMA microstructures to mechanical behavior. Our overall aim is to develop complete design tools for the use of SMA in MEMS devices Acknowledgment: The authors acknowledge support from the National Science Foundation's Grant CMS 9713998 CWRU Department of Civil Engineering Main Menu | Sitemap | Department Activities | On-Campus Menu         Communication Click to request a Graduate | Undergraduate Application Form. Click to get in touch with a Graduate | Undergraduate Student. Click to Schedule a Tour of the Department.