While talking about the Smart Materials, its a very interesting Engineering Seminar Topic in the field of Civil Engineering. A new generation of materials called smart materials is changing the way a structural system is going to be designed, built & monitored. Advances in the composite materials, instrumentation and the sensing technology in the combination with the new generation of the actuator systems based on the Piezoelectric ceramics and shape Memory Alloys have made this into possible.
The Shape memory alloys have found applications in a variety of the high performance products. It is ranging from the aircraft hydraulic coupling and electrical connectors to surgical suture anchors. Since the material can be generate high actuation forces in the response to temperature changes, shape memory alloys have the potential to serve as an alternative to the solenoids, which is special significance in the area of the smart
