Distributed activator for a two-dimensional shape memory alloy

A distributed activation system, comprising:

• a two-dimensional sheet of an electrically insulative shape memory alloy having a sufficiently small thickness to limit lateral flow of heat;
• a plurality of independently controllable heating elements positioned on a surface of said two-dimensional sheet, each one of an independently controllable heating element of said plurality providing local heating of an adjacent portion of said sheet for locally heating said adjacent portion such that said adjacent portion assumes a predetermined shape;
• and
• control means for passing an adjustable electrical current through at least one of said heating element of said plurality of independently controllable heating elements, such that said heating element of the plurality heats said adjacent portion and said adjacent portion assumes said predetermined shape so that said two-dimensional sheet assumes a resultant shape.

A method for selective activation of a two-dimensional sheet of electrically conductive shape memory alloy having a sufficiently small thickness to limit lateral flow of heat comprising the following steps:

• placing a plurality of heating elements on said two-dimensional sheet such that each one of a heating element of said plurality is assigned to an adjacent portion of said two-dimensional sheet for locally heating said adjacent portion such that said adjacent portion assumes a predetermined shape;
• electrically insulating said two-dimensional sheet from said plurality of heating elements;
• c) providing a thermally conductive path between said plurality of heating elements and adjacent portions of said two-dimensional sheet;
• and
• d) passing an electrical current through at least one of said heating element of said plurality to an adjacent portion to assume said predetermined shape so that said two-dimensional sheet assumes a resultant shape.