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Possessing unique thermomechanical properties, the discovery of nickel-titanium shape memory alloys (SMAs) has sprouted a plethora of applications in various fields, including aerospace, automotive, microelectronics, and medical devices. Due to its excellent biocompatibility and its ability to mimic biological forces, the medical implant industry has shown strong interest in expanding the application of NiTi SMAs. However, traditional SMA functional properties are limited by a single set of thermomechanical characteristics in a monolithic component. Past efforts in overcoming this limitation have had little success until recently with the invention of the multiple memory material (MMM) processing technology. This novel processing technology enables multiple functional responses through the augmentation of local microstructure and composition using a high power density source such as a laser. This thesis presents an investigation of the effect of laser processing on pseudoelastic behaviour and corrosion response of medical grade SMAs.

The ultimate goal of this research was to develop a “self-fitting” shape memory polymer (SMP) scaffold for the repair of craniomaxillofacial (CMF) bone defects. CMF defects may be caused by trauma, tumor removal or congenital abnormalities and represent a major class of bone defects. Their repair with autografts is limited by availability, donor site morbidity and complex surgical procedures. In addition, shaping and positioning of these rigid grafts into irregular defects is difficult. Herein, we have developed SMP scaffolds which soften at T > ~56 °C, allowing them to conformally fit into a bone defect. Upon cooling to body temperature, the scaffold becomes rigid and mechanically locks in place. This research was comprised of four major studies. In the first study, photocrosslinkable acrylated (AcO) SMP macromers containing a poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) segment and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) segments were synthesized with the general formula: AcO-PCL40-block-PDMSm-block-PCL40-OAc. By varying the PDMS segment length (m), solid SMPs with highly tunable mechanical properties and excellent shape memory abilities were prepared. In the second study, porous SMP scaffolds were fabricated based on AcO-PCL40-block-PDMS37-block-PCL40-OAc via a revised solvent casting particulate leaching (SCPL) method. By tailoring scaffold parameters including salt fusion, macromer concentration and salt size, scaffold properties (e.g. pore features, compressive modulus and shape memory behavior) were tuned. In the third study, porous SMP scaffolds were produced from macromers with variable PDMS segment lengths (m = 0 – 130) via an optimized SCPL method. The impact on pore features, thermal, mechanical, and shape memory properties as well as degradation rates were investigated. In the final study, a bioactive polydopamine coating was applied onto pore surfaces of the SMP scaffold prepared from PCL diacrylate. The thin coating did not affect intrinsic bulk properties of the scaffold. However, the coating significantly increased its bioactivity, giving rise to the formation of “bone-bonding” hydroxyapatite (HAp) when exposed to simulated body fluid (SBF). It was also shown that the coating largely enhanced the scaffold’s capacities to support osteoblasts adhesion, proliferation and osteogenesis. Thus, the polydopamine coating should enhance the performance of the “self-fitting” SMP scaffolds for the repair of bone defects.

Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) are advanced materials with interesting properties such as pseudoelasticity (PE) and the shape memory effect (SME). Recently, the CoNiGa system has emerged as the basis for very promising High Temperature Shape Memory Alloys (HTSMAs), with possible applications in the aerospace and automotive industries. Although the CoNiGa system shows significant promise for its use as HTSMAs, limited studies are available on them. Hence, a more intensive investigation of these alloys is necessary to understand their phase stability over a wide range of temperature and compositions in order for further development of CoNiGabased HTSMAs and future use of the model in alloy design. This formed the basis of motivation for the present work. In this work, a thermodynamic model of the ternary system is calculated based on the CALPHAD approach, to investigate the thermodynamic properties, phase stability and shape memory properties of these alloys. The CALPHAD approach is a computational method that enables the calculations of thermodynamic properties of systems. This method uses all available experimental and theoretical data in order to calculate the Gibbs energies of the phases in the system. The software used to carry out the calculations is "ThermoCalc," which is a computational software using CALPHAD principles, based on the minimization of Gibbs energy, and is enhanced by a global minimization technique on the system. The stability of the beta phase at high temperatures was enforced accurately by remodeling the CoGa system. The binary CoGa system that makes up the ternary was remodeled, as the beta phase (which is very important as it dominates the central region of the ternary CoNiGa system where the shape memory effect is observed), re-stabilizes as the temperature increases above the liquidus in the CoGa system. Phase relations and thermodynamic properties of the CoNiGa system based on all experimental information were evaluated. Different properties like enthalpies, activities, sublattice site fraction of vacancies and phase fractions calculated in the system matched well compared to the experimental information used to model the system. Also, the phase equilibria among the gamma (fcc), beta, gamma'(Ni3Ga), delta (Ni5Ga3) and epsilon (Ni13Ga9) were determined at various temperatures.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Akron, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2007. / "December, 2007." Title from electronic thesis title page (viewed 02/22/2008) Advisor, D. Dane Quinn; Co-Advisor, Graham Kelly; Department Chair, Celal Batur; Dean of the College, George K. Haritos; Dean of the Graduate School, George R. Newkome. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S.)--Universiity of Toledo, 2007. / Typescript. "Submitted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering." "A thesis entitled"--at head of title. Bibliography: leaves 131-145.

Thesis (M. S.)--Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. / Committee Chair: Kenneth Gall; Committee Member: David Bucknall; Committee Member: Karl Jacob.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1994. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references. Also available via the Internet.