Shape Memory Alloy

Shape memory alloys (SMAs), materials exhibiting reversible shape changes upon heating or cooling, are being actively researched for their potential in robotics and actuation. Current research focuses on improving SMA actuator control, including developing more accurate physics-based and machine learning models (e.g., LSTM networks) to predict and compensate for hysteresis and other nonlinearities, and exploring self-sensing capabilities for proprioception and contact detection. These advancements are enabling the creation of smaller, more efficient, and autonomous soft robots for applications ranging from underwater microrobotics to bio-inspired designs, improving performance and reducing reliance on external sensors.