Solar Morphing Kinetic Envelope: Integration of thermo-responsive Shape Memory Alloys in an autoreactive facade system to reduce the building’s impact on the Urban Heat Island effect in the Mediterranean climate (case study: Athens, Greece)

Kinetic responsive systems are gaining attention in architectural applications, to help reduce the building’s energy consumption and environmental impact, while improving the indoor comfort conditions. The thesis explores the potentials of Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) for the design of autoreactive facade systems without using additional energy....

Designing a locomotive device driven by a shape memory alloy composite: a mimicry of the caterpillar movement

The materials we encounter in our every day lives already extend beyond the traditional materials of wood, metal, ceramics and glass. The characteristics and behavior of materials and material composites are continuously being tweaked. The introduction of new materials that can respond to inputs from the environment has brought about a new...

A high-rate shape memory alloy actuator for aerodynamic load control on wind turbines

This paper discusses the development of a high rate shape memory alloy (SMA) driven actuator. The concept of the actuator was developed to act as aerodynamic load control surface on wind turbines. It was designed as a plate or beam-like structure with prestrained SMA wires embedded off its neutral axis. Moreover, the SMA material was embedded in...