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.

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