Antagonistic shape memory actuated structures exploit opposing pairs of one-way shape memory alloy (SMA) linear actuators to create devices capable of a fully reversible response. Unlike many conventional reversible SMA devices they do not require bias force components (springs) to return them to their pre-actuated configuration. However, the repeated use of SMA antagonistic devices results in ...

Actuators based on shape memory alloys (SMA) proved to be particularly advantageous with respect to other actuation technologies when they are embedded in applications requiring strict compliance to a set of compatibility (e.g. mechanical, biological, weight, ...) and environmental constraints. Most noteworthy are the uses in miniaturised components, lightweight systems, sensing-actuating syste...

Shape memory alloy (SMA) based actuators have the potential to be lower mass, more compact, and more simplistic than conventional based actuators (electrical, hydraulic, etc); however, one of the key issues that plagues their broad use is packaging since long lengths of wire are often necessary to achieve reasonable actuation strokes. Spooling the wire around pulleys or mandrels is one approach...

Shape memory alloy actuators are attractive for many industries because of their high energy density and moderate strokes and forces, which can enable low cost, light weight, high performance devices. SMA wire actuators are particularly advantageous because of their simple form, well-developed manufacturing and quality control, actuation with simple electrical circuits, and faster heating and c...

− A new type of actuator is presented where Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wires are embedded within artificial “blood vessels.” Fluid flowing through vessels allows the SMA wires to be rapidly cooled by convection, resulting in greater bandwidth than ordinarily possible. Combinations of electric, fluidic, and thermal inputs can be used to control the contraction/extension of the SMA wires within the...

The response of shape memory alloy (SMA) components employed as actuators has enabled a number of adaptable aero-structural solutions. However, there are currently no industry or government-accepted standardized test methods for SMA materials when used as actuators and their transition to commercialization and production has been hindered. This brief fast track communication introduces to the c...

Krasnosel’skii-Pokrovskii (KP) model is one of the great operator-based phenomenological models which is used in modeling hysteretic nonlinear behavior in smart actuators. The time continuity and the parametric continuity of this operator are important and valuable factors for physical considerations as well as designing well-posed identification methodologies. In most of the researches conduct...

Alternatives to traditional actuators such as electromagnetic motors are needed in applications where space and weight are limited, for example, laparoscopic medical probes, miniature robotics, and micro-lens positioning systems. We present a family of small light-weight actuators that can be composed out of a basic unit-cell to yield linear, rotational, and surface actuation. The unit-cell act...

A lternatives to traditional actuators, such as electromagnetic motors, are needed in applications where space and weight are limited, e.g., laparoscopic medical probes, miniature robotics, and micro-lens positioning systems. We present a family of small lightweight actuators that can be composed out of a basic unit cell to yield linear, rotational, and surface actuation. The unit cell actuator...

Being inherently compliant, the robotic artificial muscles are increasingly popular in applications such as safe human-robot interaction, legged robotics, prostheses and orthoses, and soft robotics. Their full utilization is often challenged by the coupled hysteresis among input, strain, and tension force. Although conventional two-dimensional hysteresis models are available, no prior studies o...