Shape Memory Alloy Wire With Controlled Energy Damping

A shape memory alloy wire comprising:

• a length of a polycrystalline shape memory alloy having an alloy composition including at least one member selected from the group consisting of Cu in at least about 10 wt. %, Fe in at least about 5 wt. %, Au in at least about 5 wt. %, Ag in at least about 5 wt. %, Al in at least about 5 wt. %, In in at least about wt. %, Mn in at least about 5 wt. %, Zn in at least about 5 wt. % and Co in at least about 5 wt. %, the shape memory alloy composition having a martensite crystal structure consisting of one of 2H, 18R1, M18R, and 6R;
• the length of a polycrystalline shape memory alloy having a cross sectional wire diameter greater than about 1 micron and less than about 500 microns;
• the length of a polycrystalline shape memory alloy having an oligocrystalline morphology including polycrystalline shape memory alloy grains that span the cross sectional wire diameter;
• and
• the length of a polycrystalline shape memory alloy having a wire surface with a surface roughness no greater than about 100 nanometers.