Designing "the" and Designing "with" Shape Memory Materials by Othmane Benafane
February 5th, 4-5PM, 256 CB
Bio: Othmane Benafan has worked at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) since 2011. He has been a materials research engineer in the High Temperature and Smart Alloys Branch, leading the development of shape memory alloy technology. His investigations have included theoretical and experimental research with a focus on fit-for-purpose shape memory alloy synthesis and processing. His has studied experimental mechanics of solid-state phase transformations to construct process-structure-property roadmaps for these alloys. Dr. Benafan is currently leading multiple teams to design lightweight actuators and morphing structures as part of the NASA Transformative Tools and Technologies project, the NASA Game Changing Development program, and several space act agreements (SAAs) with industry partners. His most recent efforts focus on the development of passive phase transforming alloys for aircraft vortex generators and digital transformation of alloy design via the creation of a database system and analytics platform.
Dr. Benafan is active in the technical community serving numerous roles including graduate faculty doctoral advisory committees, editorial board member of the Shape Memory and Superelasticity journal, and ASM’s content and data products council. He is the immediate past-President of the International Organization on Shape Memory and Superelastic Technologies (SMST), and the past executive chairman of the joint industry-government-academia Consortium for the Advancement of Shape Memory Alloy Research and Technology (CASMART). Dr. Benafan has a bachelor of science, a master of science and a doctoral (Ph.D.) degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Central Florida.
Abstract: Shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators continue to play a critical role in the aerospace industry dating back to the F-14 Tomcat aircraft in the 1970s, to recent Mars exploration rovers in the 2020s. The material science aspects of SMAs have been the driving factor in enabling these thermally or electrically driven actuators, while providing many advantageous features over conventional systems when suitably used. Recent applications in the aviation and space arena have also seen novel materials and actuation forms that may unlock new opportunities in the development of adaptive structures. In this talk, a brief review of the legacy aerospace devices and status is provided. A focused design study on recent aerospace applications by NASA and partners is highlighted in the context of designing Fit-For-Purpose SMA for vortex generators (aeronautics), thermal systems (space), and the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) project, with a focus on the materials and maturity level of each individual technology. Acceptance to higher volume applications is discussed in terms of ongoing efforts towards certifying materials, complementary design tools and handbooks, and standards development. Finally, “needs” and yet to be addressed challenges required for certification and mass industry adoption are highlighted.