Ceramic Structures for Enhanced Shape Memory and Pseudoelastic Effects
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsChristopher Allan Schuh, Alan Lai
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Shape memory and pseudoelastic martensitic behavior is enabled by a structure in which there is provided a crystalline ceramic material that is capable of undergoing a reversible martensitic transformation and forming martensitic domains, during such martensitic transformation, that have an elongated domain length. The ceramic material is configured as a ceramic material structure including a structural feature that is smaller than the elongated domain length of the ceramic material.
Claims20
A mechanical structure comprising:
- a crystalline ceramic material that is capable of undergoing a reversible martensitic transformation and forming martensitic domains, during such martensitic transformation, that have an elongated domain length;
- and
- the ceramic material being configured as a ceramic material structure including a structural feature that is smaller than the elongated domain length of the ceramic material.
The mechanical structure of claim 14 wherein the ceramic material structure can dissipate energy during a martensitic transformation with a merit index value that is at least about 2.5.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.