Papers by Author: Manfred Kohl

Abstract: The giant magneto-strain effect is particularly attractive for actuator applications in micro- and nanometer dimensions as it enables contact-less control of large deformations, which can hardly be achieved by other actuation principles in small space. Two different approaches are being pursued to develop ferromagnetic shape memory (FSMA) microactuators based on the magnetically induced reorientation of martensite variants: (1) the fabrication of free-standing epitaxial Ni-Mn-Ga thin film actuators in a bottom-up manner by magnetron sputtering, substrate release and integration technologies and (2) the top-down approach of thickness reduction of bulk Ni-Mn-Ga single crystals to foil specimens of decreasing thicknesses (200 – 40 μm) and subsequent integration. This review describes the fabrication technologies, procedures for thermo-mechanical training adapted to the quasi-two-dimensional geometries of film and foil specimens as well as the performance characteristics of state-of-the art actuators after processing and training.

Abstract: We present a thermodynamic Gibbs free energy model for the finite element simulation of the coupled thermo-magneto-mechanical behavior of ferromagnetic shape memory alloys (FSMAs). Starting from a free energy model for the conventional shape memory effect, additional terms are included to take into account the magnetic anisotropy and the geometry-dependent magnetostatic energy. Different functions are considered for the strain dependence of the anisotropy energy in order to describe the experimentally found strong dependence of the anisotropy energy on the ratio of short and long crystallographic axis c/a. The resulting energy landscape is used to calculate the transition probabilities between three martensite variants and the austenite state under applied stress and external magnetic field. The magnetic shape memory effect is simulated for different loading conditions and sample geometries. We demonstrate the influence of the c/a dependence of the anisotropy energy as well as the influence of twinning strain and elastic modulus on the transition between martensite variants. The model calculations are compared with experimental results on Ni-Mn-Ga single crystals.

Abstract: Shape memory alloy (SMA) films enable the development of novel mechanically active microsystems as they provide large force and stroke in restricted space. The performance of SMA film actuators and sensors does not only depend on SMA material properties, but also requires a mechanically and thermally optimized design as well as a suitable fabrication technology being compatible to existing microsystems technologies. The paper gives an overview on the engineering aspects of SMA film actuators and sensors. These aspects are illustrated by selected examples such as bridge microactuators, microvalves and microscanners. The examples demonstrate the ongoing progress in the field, current limitations as well as existing opportunities for emerging new applications.

Abstract: This article reports on two models for the shape memory effect and explains, how they are implemented in a finite element method program. The first model uses a phenomenological approach. For the example of a microgripper, the performance prediction of real actuators made of polycrystalline materials is demonstrated. In the second model, the martensite-austenite phase transition is treated as a thermodynamically activated process. Thermodynamic laws, like e.g. the minimization of the Gibbs free energy, are used for the formulation. To simplify the model, it is primarily intended to describe the behavior of single crystals. By comparing the simulated bending characteristic of a cantilever beam with experimental data, the applicability to polycrystalline material is tested. Due to the physics based formulation, this model gives more insight into the structural processes involved. This is very useful, e.g., for physical extensions needed for the simulation of the magnetic shape memory effect. It is shown, how the model can be extended to predict the behavior of actuators made of ferromagnetic Ni-Mn-Ga single crystals in a magnetic field.