Ferromagnetic shape memory thin film Actuators

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Manfred Kohl
• Subject Area: Mechanical Properties of Metallic Materials and their Microstructural Origins
• Term: from 2005 to 2008
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5455129

The objective of the project is the development of a novel type of actuation and sensing devices based on thin films of ferromagnetic shape memory alloys. These materials show a unique combination of ferromagnetism and conventional shape memory effects, which enables a considerable performance increase over compareable mechanisms. The project is a collaborative effort between the University of Karlsruhe (IMT) and partners from the North Carolina State University (NCSU), USA, who are simultaneously submitting their counterpart to the National Science Foundation (NSF). It combines the capabilities at both institutes into a unique interdisciplinary and strongly interlinked research activity. Ni-Mn-Ga thin films will be considered as base materials. By systematic experiments, an empirical database bill be established to develop the first fully coupled model for the magneto-thermo-mechanical behavior of the material. The material model will be simultaneously implemented into a coupled FEM program and a single-degree-of-freedom formulation to simulate the performance of a benchmark actuator emphasizing accuracy and CPU time, respectively. A smart microoptical deflection system will be developed as a demonstrator, which is a key component for optical information technology.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: USA
• Participating Person: Professor Dr.-Ing. Stefan Seelecke