A method for manufacturing a blade structure includes providing the blade structure comprising an outer surface having an aerodynamic profile. The method also includes applying one or more shape memory alloys to the outer surface of the blade structure so as to form an outer protection layer on at least a portion of the blade structure. Moreover, the method includes securing the one or more shape memory alloys to the blade structure.

An actuator includes a strand of shape memory material having a length that is variable between a first length corresponding to an undeformed state and a second length corresponding to a state of lengthwise deformation. The strand is arranged to return to the undeformed state when it is heated to a predetermined temperature. The strand includes a fixed end and a mobile end arranged to move between a first and a second position when the variable length of the SMM strand changes. The actuator further includes a heating wire coiled around the strand for heating the strand, the coiled heating wire forming a circular helix, the uniform slope of which is selected so as to avoid any substantial change of the arc length of the circular helix caused by the strand changing its length.

An actuator includes a strand of shape memory material having a length that is variable between a first length corresponding to an undeformed state and a second length corresponding to a state of lengthwise deformation. The strand is arranged to return to the undeformed state when it is heated to a predetermined temperature. The strand includes a fixed end and a mobile end arranged to move between a first and a second position when the variable length of the SMM strand changes. The actuator further includes a heating wire coiled around the strand for heating the strand, the coiled heating wire forming a circular helix, the uniform slope of which is selected so as to avoid any substantial change of the arc length of the circular helix caused by the strand changing its length.

A method for manufacturing a blade structure includes providing the blade structure comprising an outer surface having an aerodynamic profile. The method also includes applying one or more shape memory alloys to the outer surface of the blade structure so as to form an outer protection layer on at least a portion of the blade structure. Moreover, the method includes securing the one or more shape memory alloys to the blade structure.