Air curtain using smart materials

An apparatus providing an air shield over a portal access opening between a vehicle access member and a stationary vehicle trim member, the vehicle access member providing access to a compartment of an interior of the vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

• an air supply device disposed within the vehicle, the air supply device including an active material creating the burst air, the air supply device producing a burst of air that discharges upon opening of the vehicle access member;
• and
• at least one output port outputting the burst of air created by the air supply device, the burst of air forming an air shield in a direction substantially transverse to the portal opening, wherein the air shield is formed across at least a portion of a perimeter of the portal access opening between the vehicle access member and the stationary vehicle trim member, and wherein the air shield inhibits precipitation from entering the compartment of the vehicle during a pressure equalization phase that occurs in response to the opening of the vehicle access member.