Multiple memory material technology: high temperature alloy processing, actuator controls and cyclic performance evaluation

滑铁卢大学和Smarter Alloys Inc.之间拟议的合作研发项目，旨在弥合形状记忆合金（SMA）研究与其在汽车应用中的实施之间的差距。在过去的研发计划中，Smarter Alloys Inc.表明他们的新型多记忆材料（MMM）SMA加工技术克服了以前阻碍SMA致动器在汽车行业应用的设计挑战。在该项目中，将解决剩余的挑战，如，开发一个强大的控制系统MMM加工SMA执行器，处理高相变温度NiTi合金，并提高循环性能。该项目的成功完成将产生一个工作的发动机罩下SMA汽车皮带张紧器原型，展示MMM技术提供的增强性能。该项目中开发的工程知识和专业知识将立即转移到其他汽车应用，甚至不同的行业，如航空航天，医疗和微电子行业，这些行业已经使用传统的SMA技术。 该计划的成功实施不仅将为SMA执行器的制造和控制提供有价值的基本见解，而且还将成为开发创新技术和培训快速发展的智能材料领域高素质人才（HQP）的平台。因此，这项研究将为加拿大智能材料行业做出重大贡献。在这项工作中开发的加工协议和SMA材料科学将为目前使用SMA技术的汽车和许多其他行业提供竞争优势。通过这项拟议的工作获得的知识，HQP和工程技术对于智能材料领域的进步以及增加创新SMA设备设计的灵活性至关重要。

The proposed collaborative research and development project, between the University of Waterloo and Smarter Alloys Inc., aims to bridge the gap between shape memory alloy (SMA) research and their implementation in automotive applications. In past research and development initiatives, Smarter Alloys Inc. showed that their novel multiple memory material (MMM) SMA processing technology overcame design challenges that previously retarded the application of SMA actuators in the automotive industry. In this project remaining challenges will be addressed such as, developing a robust control system for MMM processed SMA actuators, processing high phase transformation temperature NiTi alloys, and improving cyclic performance. The successful completion of this project will result in a working underhood SMA automotive belt tensioner prototype, demonstrating enhanced performance provided by the MMM technology. The engineering knowledge and expertise developed in this project will be immediately transferable to other automotive applications and even different industries such as, aerospace, medical, and micro-electronics industries who already utilize traditional SMA technologies. The successful execution of this program will not only provide valuable fundamental insight into manufacturing and controlling SMA actuators, but will also serve as a platform for the development of innovative technologies and for training highly qualified personnel (HQP) in the rapidly expanding field of smart materials. This research will, therefore, provide a significant Canadian contribution to the smart materials industry. Processing protocol and SMA materials science developed in this work will provide competitive advantage to the automotive and many other industries currently utilizing SMA technologies. The knowledge, HQP, and engineering know-how gained through this proposed work are essential in the advancement of the smart materials field and to increase flexibility in the design of innovative SMA devices.