Characterization and Analysis of a Flexural Shape Memory Alloy Actuator

• Published in: Actuators Vol. 10; no. 8; p. 202
• Main Authors: Dauksher, Richard, Patterson, Zachary, Majidi, Carmel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.08.2021
• Subjects: Actuation; Actuators; Bending stresses; Cooling; Design; Efficiency; Electric currents; Energy conversion; finite element analysis; Heat; Ohmic dissipation; Resistance heating; Robotics; Robots; shape memory alloy; Shape memory alloys; soft actuators; soft robotics; Structural design; Titanium alloys; Wire

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are popular as actuators for use in soft robots due to their high work density and compatibility with miniaturized on-board batteries and power electronics. However, because SMA actuators are activated through electrical Joule heating, they exhibit poor energy efficiency a...