Demands on shape memory alloys from the application designer's point of view

In order to improve the conditions for utilization of Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) in engineering design, the engineering design process and the shape memory effect have been studied from the viewpoint of the engineering designer. Further, the maturity of the SMA technology has been evaluated according to a common evaluation technique denoted the technology readiness assessment. The results obtained in this paper confirm that SMAs introduce unacceptable uncertainties in the engineering design process. It is shown that the SMA technology is still not sufficiently mature to be utilized in engineering design. Based on the requirement that the SMA technology must be upgraded to a level satisfying the conditions set by the technology readiness assessment, this paper presents fundamental objectives for future research involving a closer collaboration between researchers from the fields of material technology and engineering design.