Variable-porosity panel systems and associated methods

A variable-porosity panel system, comprising:

• a panel assembly, including:
• an exterior layer that defines a plurality of exterior layer pores;
• and
• a sliding layer that defines a plurality of sliding layer pores and that is positioned adjacent to the exterior layer;
• and
• a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator configured to translate the sliding layer relative to the exterior layer along a longitudinal direction to align and misalign the plurality of sliding layer pores with the plurality of exterior layer pores;
• wherein the SMA actuator includes an SMA element operatively coupled to the sliding layer and configured to change in length responsive to a change in temperature of the SMA element;
• wherein the SMA element is configured to exert an actuation force on the sliding layer when the SMA element decreases in length;
• wherein the sliding layer defines an SMA element receiver that receives a portion of the SMA element;
• wherein the sliding layer includes a sliding layer first end and a sliding layer second end spaced apart from the sliding layer first end along the longitudinal direction;
• wherein the SMA element receiver intersects the sliding layer first end such that the SMA element extends out of the sliding layer only at the sliding layer first end;
• and wherein the SMA actuator is configured to transition the panel assembly among a plurality of panel configurations defined between and including a fully closed configuration, in which the plurality of sliding layer pores is misaligned with the plurality of exterior layer pores, and a fully open configuration, in which the plurality of sliding layer pores is aligned with the plurality of exterior layer pores.