Shape memory alloys (SMAs) provide exciting opportunities for miniature actuation systems. As SMA actuators are scaled down in size, cooling increases and bandwidth, improves. However, the inclusion of a bias element with which to cycle the SMA actuator becomes difficult at very small scales. One technique used to avoid the necessity of having to include a separate bias element is the use of local annealing to fabricate a monolithic device out of nickel titanium (NiTi). The actuator geometry is machined out of a single piece of non-annealed NiTi. After locally annealing a portion of the complete device, that section exhibits the shape memory effect while the remainder acts as structural support and provides the bias force required for cycling. This work proposes one such locally-annealed monolithic SMA actuator for future incorporation in a device that navigates the digestive tract. After detailing the derivation of lumped electro-mechanical models for the actuator, a description of the prototyping procedure, including fabrication and local annealing of the actuator, is provided. This thesis presents the experimental prototype actuator behaviour and compares it with simulations generated using the developed models.

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) provide exciting opportunities for miniature actuation systems. As SMA actuators are scaled down in size, cooling increases and bandwidth, improves. However, the inclusion of a bias element with which to cycle the SMA actuator becomes difficult at very small scales. One technique used to avoid the necessity of having to include a separate bias element is the use of local annealing to fabricate a monolithic device out of nickel titanium (NiTi). The actuator geometry is machined out of a single piece of non-annealed NiTi. After locally annealing a portion of the complete device, that section exhibits the shape memory effect while the remainder acts as structural support and provides the bias force required for cycling. This work proposes one such locally-annealed monolithic SMA actuator for future incorporation in a device that navigates the digestive tract. After detailing the derivation of lumped electro-mechanical models for the actuator, a description of the prototyping procedure, including fabrication and local annealing of the actuator, is provided. This thesis presents the experimental prototype actuator behaviour and compares it with simulations generated using the developed models.

This thesis project investigates, analyzes, designs, simulates, constructs and tests a dual-axis solar tracker system to track the sun and concentrates the heat of the sunlight, using a Fresnel lens, into a small area, which is above of an evaporator, to increase the temperature of the seawater to convert it into freshwater. The dual-axis solar tracker was designed with the main objectives that the structure was portable, dismountable, lightweight, low cost, corrosion resistant, wires inside pipes, accurate, small size, follow the sun automatically, off-grid (electrical), use green energy (solar powered), and has an empty area right below of the lens. First, a 500 mm diameter flat Fresnel lens was selected and simulated based on an algorithmic method achieved by a previous PhD student at UNT using MATLAB®, to give the optimization lens dimensions. The lens profile was drawn with AutoCAD®, then output profile lens was simulated in COMSOL Multiphysics®. The objective was to provide the high efficiency, optimum and high precision of the focal rays and heat to the receiver of the evaporator. A novel dual-axis solar tracker system was then designed that is portable, dismountable, lightweight and corrosion resistant. The solar tracker tracks the sun in two axis of rotation automatically during the day time, maximizing the angles of inclination on each axis. After testing computer simulations, the dual-axis solar tracker system was constructed and tested. Last, a detailed cost analysis was performed of the entire project. The outcome of this work can be applied for desalination seawater purposes or other any Fresnel lens application that require a focal high temperature directed by dual-axis solar tracker system.