We developed an educational path based on nitinol, a shape memory alloy which conveniently exemplifies the smart material concept, i.e., a material that performs a predetermined, reversible action in response to a change in the environment. Nitinol recovers a given shape, changes its resistivity drastically and modifies its elastic properties if subjected to a temperature change in a convenient range. Here, the properties are verified with laboratory protocols appropriate to a high-school environment. Use of mobile electronic devices is also suggested. The collected electrical and mechanical properties are analysed within a didactic path which emphasizes their common physical origin, i.e., the martensitic transition. Moreover, the peculiarities of this solid-to-solid transformation are put in correspondence with the apparently unrelated but more familiar liquid–vapour transition. The relationship with possible applications is emphasized by measuring the efficiency of using a nitinol spring as an actuator.
Educational pathways through nanoscience: nitinol as a paradigmatic smart material / Lisotti, Annamaria; DE RENZI, Valentina; Carlo Andrea, Rozzi; Elena, Villa; Franca, Albertini; Goldoni, Guido. - In: PHYSICS EDUCATION. - ISSN 0031-9120. - STAMPA. - 48(2013), pp. 298-311. [10.1088/0031-9120/48/3/298]
Data di pubblicazione: | 2013 | |
Titolo: | Educational pathways through nanoscience: nitinol as a paradigmatic smart material | |
Autore/i: | Lisotti, Annamaria; DE RENZI, Valentina; Carlo Andrea, Rozzi; Elena, Villa; Franca, Albertini; Goldoni, Guido | |
Autore/i UNIMORE: | ||
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): | http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0031-9120/48/3/298 | |
Rivista: | ||
Volume: | 48 | |
Pagina iniziale: | 298 | |
Pagina finale: | 311 | |
Codice identificativo Scopus: | 2-s2.0-84876519417 | |
Citazione: | Educational pathways through nanoscience: nitinol as a paradigmatic smart material / Lisotti, Annamaria; DE RENZI, Valentina; Carlo Andrea, Rozzi; Elena, Villa; Franca, Albertini; Goldoni, Guido. - In: PHYSICS EDUCATION. - ISSN 0031-9120. - STAMPA. - 48(2013), pp. 298-311. [10.1088/0031-9120/48/3/298] | |
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