Functional nanostructured shape memory alloys for actuators
- Reference number
- UKR24-0007
- Project leader
- Demchenko, Lesya
- Start and end dates
- 240701-250630
- Amount granted
- 1 000 000 SEK
- Administrative organization
- Stockholm University
- Research area
- Materials Science and Technology
Summary
The project aims to develop a new class of nanostructured metal materials with tunable functionality: deformational effects (shape memory&superelasticity) and magnetic properties for industrial applications as actuators, sensors, power devices in aerospace and automotive technologies, robotics, and biomedicine. The ternary and quaternary nanostructured Cu-based medium-entropy alloys will be investigated to elucidate the influence of alloying and thermal and magnetic treatment on precipitation of ferromagnetic phases in a paramagnetic matrix. The main project objectives are studying mechanisms of magnetic transitions in nanostructured shape memory alloys during martensitic transformation and establishing peculiarities of evolution of magnetic states depending on composition, size, and distribution of nanoprecipitates. The effect of thermomagnetic treatment and martensitic transitions on the induction of shape and stress magnetic anisotropy of ferromagnetic nanoparticles will be determined, which results in changes in material magnetic and electric behavior, as well as magnetoresistance in dependence on the nanostructured state. The scientific principles and foundations of innovative technologies to control and adjust the functional properties of materials by affecting their nanocomposite structure will be developed which will provide a high level of materials functionality according to the industry technology state-of-the-art.
Popular science description
Functional materials play an important role in many applications where they are used to solve a variety of specialized problems by actively providing functionality through the intrinsic properties of the material. Shape memory alloys are excellent candidates for solid-state actuation and thermal energy harvesting applications due to their capability to undergo reversible, solid-to-solid martensitic phase transformations, with tailorable shape change and energy conversion capabilities. The project addresses the important challenges in the research of new functional metal materials with shape memory effect and tunable magnetic properties, from synthesis and characterization to a fundamental understanding of the nature of magnetism in nanostructures and mechanisms of their functionality under the effect of thermoelastic martensitic phase transition (MT). The ability of the same material when exposed to temperature or other influences to exhibit the effect of reversible changes in shape, as well as to respond to external influences activating its functions creates a new class of functional materials. The proposed new functional materials will be of great interest for developing fundamentally new designs of various fast large-strain actuators, nanosensors, functional microdrives, vibration dampers, power devices, etc. The operation of these devices will be based on a change in magnetization and the induction of an alternating electromagnetic signal in it due to an induced reversible MT under the influence of external factors (such as temperature or mechanical stress). These new scientific approaches can be used in creating new cutting-edge technologies and innovations in various branches of mechanical and construction engineering, aerospace and automotive complex, robotics, electronics, biomedicine, instrumentation, etc. The scientific principles to control and tune the functional and magnetic properties of materials by affecting their nanostructure will be developed, which will provide a high level of reliability and stability of materials according to the industry technology state-of-the-art. These materials with the capability of significant deformation effects and control of the magnetic subsystem can be used in wide ranges of temperature and mechanical stresses, or magnetic fields for innovative microdrivers, sensors, and actuators. The combination of a mechanical and a magnetic subsystem will provide them with higher functional properties.