Papers by Author: Yan Ling Ge

Abstract: Martensitic Ni-Mn-Ga based alloys are known for the Magnetic Shape Memory (MSM) effect, which upon application of an external magnetic field can generate a strain up to 12 % depending on the microstructure of the martensite. The MSM effect occurs by rearrangement of the martensite variants, which is most advantageous in single crystals. Single crystals are, however, rather tedious to produce and there has been attempts to achieve MSM effect in polycrystals. However, in polycrystals the magnetic field induced shape change remains low as compared to single crystals. As an alternative to the former, hybrid MSM materials offer several advantages. When compared to single crystals, hybrids have extended freedom of shaping, lower raw material price, relatively large MSM strain and easier manufacturability. Embedding MSM particles into a suitable polymer matrix results in actuation function or good vibration damping performance. In the present study we report on the mechanical, structural and magnetic properties of MSM polymer hybrids, which are prepared by mixing gas-atomized Ni-Mn-Ga MSM powder into epoxy matrix and aligning the magnetic particles in a magnetic field.

Abstract: Antibacterial silver can be used against such micro-organisms as bacteria and molds. When Ag nanoparticles are attached to an inorganic carrier, e.g., silica long-term antimicrobial functionality can be gained. Such Ag-SiO₂ particles are potential for water purification or bactericidal applications. In this work, submicron sized silica particles doped with Ag were prepared by the modified Stöber method. The as-prepared powder was air-dried and annealed for 75 minutes at 573, 673, 773, 873, 973, 1073, 1173, or 1273 K in air. The powders were studied by DSC/TGA, XRD, SEM, TEM and UV-vis methods. The as-prepared powder consisted of round silica particles having size around several hundred nanometers. XRD and SEM studies confirmed that the powder consisted of metallic silver nanoparticles on the submicron silica surface after annealing at 873 K or higher. According to the SEM study the silver particles had an average particle size between 19-400 nm depending on the annealing temperature. DSC was used to determine the phase transformation temperatures. After annealing the Ag-SiO₂ powder at 873 K the TEM study suggested that the silver had crystalline structure. The XRD studies confirmed that silver appeared as a FCC crystal structure. The UV-vis measurements of Ag-SiO₂ powder annealed at and below 773 K showed a steady increase in absorption with decreasing wavelength without absorption peaks. Annealing at 873 K and above resulted in a strong peak in between 404 nm and 416 nm. This peak can be attributed to the surface plasmon resonance of silver nanoparticles.

Abstract: Martensitic 10M Ni-Mn-Ga single crystals are usually applied in the magnetomechanical actuators. Their behavior in the long-term cycling and the factors influencing upon are thus important to know. There are several publications concerning this. However, consistent statistical data is still missing to large extent. In this report we review and analyze the data available in the literature. In conclusion it can be stated that 10M Ni-Mn-Ga single crystals survive well in long-term actuation (millions of cycles) when the frequency of twin variant reorientation is not exceeding 250 Hz, and the strain used in actuation is below 3 %. There are several factors influencing the long-term behavior and these are discussed in more details in this work.

Abstract: The 10M modulated crystal structure in Ni-Mn-Ga martensitic phase with about 0.5 MPa twinning stress, was studied by X-ray diffraction reciprocal space mapping (RSM). The experimental procedure is established for collecting large range of RSM with scattering planes inclined to the surface of specimen. The investigation focused on the superlattice reflections caused by the modulation, which always appeared in two <110> directions in bulk material. The distribution of two modulation domains varies with scattering locations.

Abstract: In the shape memory alloys (SMAs) the thermal triggering induces reversible dimensional change by the phase transformation – these materials may also be ferrior ferromagnetic, however, here only the ferromagnetic SMAs are discussed. In certain SMAs the austenitemartensite phase transformation is influenced by the magnetic field as either austenite or martensite is promoted by the field and this is exploited for the dimensional changes. However, in the magnetic shape memory (MSM) alloys no phase transformation occurs as the remarkable dimensional changes take place by the twin variant changes in the martensitic phase activated by the external magnetic field at constant temperature. In addition to the phase transformation or magnetic shape memory effect, the applied magnetic field may also result in the conventional magnetostriction (MS), enhance the superelasticity (magneticfieldassisted superelasticity MFAS) or induce the giant magnetocaloric effect (GMCE). Certain alloys such as NiMnGa may even be multifunctional showing more than one of these effects. The present paper gives an overview of the different types of the magnetically activated SMA alloys, their properties as well as their potentials for applications in the frameworks of the recent studies.