A display device includes a first shape-memory wire that memorizes an extended state and a second shape-memory wire that memorizes a bending state. The laminated layers include a first flexible layer, a second flexible layer, and a display element layer on which light emitting elements are disposed. The first flexible layer includes a first interface between the first flexible layer and a layer in contact with an upper side or a lower side of the first flexible layer. The second flexible layer includes a second interface between the second flexible layer and a layer in contact with an upper side or a lower side of the second flexible layer. The first shape-memory wire is disposed within the first flexible layer or on the first interface. The second shape-memory wire is disposed within the second flexible layer or on the second interface.

A method of driving an actuator using a shape memory alloy is provided. An impact-driven actuator is activated by a pulse voltage generated by an action of a transistor. A keyboard outputs a key event at the timing of an input operation. A stress monitoring unit calculates a stress amount of an impact-driven actuator based on parameters of a key event and a pulse voltage. A stress adjustment unit changes the parameter of the pulse voltage when the stress amount reaches a permissible value. The parameter may be a wave crest value or a pulse width of the pulse voltage. The stress adjustment section is also able to stop the action of the impact-driven actuator in response to a key event corresponding to a break code.

Provided is a method of making a polycrystalline shape memory alloy (SMA) by forming an alloy with grains and boundaries between them, exposing the alloy to a two-phase temperature range at which a two-phase equilibrium is achieved in the alloy, converting grains to an austenite phase, and precipitating a face-centered-cubic crystal structure solid solution phase at grain boundaries, then quenching the alloy. Also provided is a polycrystalline SMA with a dual-phase microstructure having grains mostly in an austenite phase, a martensite phase, or in transition between an austenite phase and a martensite phase and grain boundaries containing a face-centered-cubic crystal structure solid solution phase.

A copper alloy disclosed in the present description has a basic alloy composition represented by Cu.sub.100-(x+y)Sn.sub.xMn.sub.y (where 8x16 and 2y10 are satisfied), in which a main phase is a CuSn phase with Mn dissolved therein, and the CuSn phase undergoes martensitic transformation when heat-treated or worked.

Disclosed herein is a shape memory alloy comprising 45 to 50 atomic percent nickel; and 1 to 30 atomic percent of at least one metalloid selected from the group consisting of germanium, antimony, zinc, gallium, tin, and a combination of one or more of the foregoing metalloids, with the remainder being titanium. The shape memory alloy may further contain aluminum. Disclosed herein too is a method of manufacturing the shape memory alloy.

Composite alloys comprising a first alloy portion comprising nickel and titanium and a second alloy portion comprising nickel and titanium in a different stoichiometry than the first alloy portion are disclosed, along with related methods of manufacture and use. Particularly, the composite alloys may be used in customized medical devices where a shape memory effect would be beneficial.

An apparatus and method for creating shapes (e.g., letters, numbers, characters, symbols, or a combination thereof) using shape memory alloy (SMAs) component. The SMA components shaped into formed shapes that can then be distorted to obscure the original formed shaped. The original formed shape can be restored upon exposure to a heat source, magnetic field, or upon load removal.

Disclosed herein is a composite comprising a metal alloy matrix; where the metal alloy matrix comprises aluminum in an amount greater than 50 atomic percent; a first metal and a second metal; where the first metal is different from the second metal; and where the metal alloy matrix comprises a low temperature melting phase and a high temperature melting phase; where the low temperature melting phase melts at a temperature that is lower than the high temperature melting phase; and a contracting constituent; where the contracting constituent exerts a compressive force on the metal alloy matrix at a temperature between a melting point of the low temperature melting phase and a melting point of the high temperature melting phase or below the melting points of the high and low temperature melting phases.

The present disclosure relates to the field of endodontic instrumentation, and more particularly to apparatus and methods for manufacturing that include applying a variable heat-treat to an endodontic file blank based on geometric parameters that will be formed in the blank.

A TiNi-based alloy, which has a torsion angle for Interface I that is a junction plane between habit plane variants of a martensitic phase, of less than 1.00; a wire, an electrically conductive actuator, and a temperature sensor, each of which uses that alloy; and a method of producing the TiNi-based alloy.