I-Corps: Additive manufacturing of nickel titanium aerospace actuators

这个i-Corps项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是通过3D打印开发形状记忆合金执行器，这可能会与传统液压执行器的受力能力相竞争。执行器是机器的一个部件，负责控制系统。一架典型的商用飞机有几个独立的液压系统和一个或两个泵来给系统加压。这些系统被用来控制飞行表面，控制飞机在空中的运动。这些系统给飞机增加了很大的重量。在航天工业的飞行器发展中，空间和重量一直是人们非常关注的问题。这项技术有可能通过消除对液压系统的需求来减少飞机上使用的执行器的重量和占地面积。该项目还有一个潜在的额外好处，即还可以降低飞机在空中或降落过程中遇到紧急情况时的火灾风险。最后，这项技术有可能帮助具有类似采用动机的卫星和火箭制造行业。这个i-Corps项目基于形状记忆合金添加剂制造策略的开发。形状记忆合金是一类允许材料形成所需形状的材料，称为母体形状。然后这个父形状可以变形，当施加超过一定阈值的热时，材料将恢复到它的父形状，表现出“形状记忆”。镍和钛很容易合金化，以制造形状记忆合金执行器。然而，由于镍钛合金的高硬度以及在加工过程中产生的热量有可能改变材料的性能，传统的镍钛合金加工具有挑战性。使用高功率激光熔化粉末金属的添加制造技术被用来解决与传统加工相关的困难。已经开发出使用特定的打印策略来在打印期间修改致动器的阈值温度，从而使材料属性能够被定制。这种定制允许根据客户的特定需求开发执行机构。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is the development of shape memory alloy actuators through 3D printing that may compete with the force capabilities of traditional hydraulic actuators. An actuator is a component of a machine that is responsible for controlling a system. A typical commercial aircraft has several independent hydraulic systems and one or two pumps to pressurize the systems. These systems are used to control the flight surfaces that control the movement of the aircraft in the air. These systems add a great deal of weight to the aircraft. In the development of vehicles for the aerospace industry, space and weight are always of great concern. This technology has the potential to reduce the weight and footprint of actuators used in aircraft by eliminating the need for hydraulic systems. This project has a potential added benefit of also reducing the fire risk for aircraft experiencing an emergency in the air or during landing. Finally, this technology has the potential to aid satellite and rocket manufacturing industries with similar motivations for adoption.This I-Corps project is based on the development of additive manufacturing strategies for shape memory alloys. Shape memory alloys are a class of materials that allow the materials to be formed into a desired shape, which is called the parent shape. This parent shape can then be deformed and upon the application of heat above a certain threshold, the material will revert to its parent shape exhibiting a “shape memory.” Nickle and titanium are readily alloyed to produce shape memory alloy actuators. However, traditional machining of nickel titanium alloys are challenging due to their high hardness and the fact that the heat generated during machining has the potential to change the properties of the material. The use of additive manufacturing using a high-powered laser to melt powdered metals is used to address the difficulties associated with traditional machining. The use of specific printing strategies has been developed to modify the threshold temperature of the actuator during printing and thus, enable the material properties to be tailored. This tailoring allows the development of actuators customized to the customers’ specific needa.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.