Shape Memory Alloy Art (SMArt)

Innovators at NASA's Glenn Research Center have developed an educational device and method for creating letters, numbers, characters, symbols, or a combination, using shape memory alloy (SMA) wire. The device, which is a small, portable apparatus, goes through a prescribed heating sequence that will train the SMA wire to remember the shape set by the user (e.g. a star, heart, etc.). After the heating and cooling sequence of the device is complete, the user extracts the shape and can distort the trained shape memory alloy wire. Upon application of heat, the wire will transform back into the trained shape.