Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!apple!netcom!teda!dll
From: dll@teda.UUCP (Dan Liddell)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: Re: Nitinol message
Message-ID: <17039@teda.UUCP>
Date: 19 Nov 90 17:40:58 GMT
References: <1990Nov11.205704.24949@watmath.waterloo.edu> <437@psitech.com>
Distribution: comp
Organization: Teradyne EDA, Inc.
Lines: 11

I have seen ohmic heating used as a method of providing the
temperature change required by nitinol. You run power through the
nitinol itself, it is heated due to resistance, and then you get the
phase change that provides the motion you are after.

The response was very rapid (for small pieces of metal). I could see
where this might not work for large cross sections, or low ambient
temperatures.
-- 
Dan Liddell    UUCP decwrl!teda!dll       TELEPHONE 4089805200 USA
curb your dogma.       The opinions and views expressed are Dan's.