DOE Science Showcase - Shape-Memory Materials

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A new plastic transforms from its original shape (left) through a series of temporary shapes and returns to its initial form.A new plastic transforms from its original shape (left) through a series of temporary shapes and returns to its initial form.
 
Image credit: Oak Ridge National Laboratory

 

Shape-memory materials have the ability to be transformed into another shape and then return to their original shape—or in some cases even metamorphose into a third shape before returning to their original shape.  This transformation is possible because the crystalline structure of shape-memory alloys allows them to sense and respond to their environment.  Shape-memory transformation behavior can now be created by thermal, light, or chemical environments.  These next-generation engineering materials are helping solve technology problems in the automotive, medical, energy, aerospace, and robotics fields.  Shape-memory alloys have been used by the research community for well over a decade to accomplish tasks that were not otherwise possible.  Visit OSTI's Catalogue of Collections to see how DOE researchers, U.S. federal agencies, and the international science community are taking advantage of shape-memory technology.

 

Related Research Information in DOE Databases

 

For additional information, see the OSTI Catalogue of Collections.

 

Additional Resources

 

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Last updated on Thursday 09 June 2016