Analysis and Design Techniques for Shape Memory Alloy Microactuators for Space Applications

This paper presents the application of systematic model-based design techniques to the design of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuators. Shape memory alloys are promising materials for (micro-)actuation in space applications, because of the relatively large deformations and forces that can be achieved. However, their complex constitutive behavior and the fact that several physical domains (electrical, thermal and mechanical) are involved makes the design effective SMA actuators with complex shapes and layouts challenging. Hence, design optimization techniques are expected to play an important role in the further development of SMA actuators. This paper presents shape and topology optimization of SMA structures and shows the effectiveness of these design approaches by several representative examples.