The demographic change in and the higher incidence of degenerative bone disease have resulted in an increase in the number of patients with osteoporotic bone tissue causing. amongst other issues, implant loosening. Revision surgery to treat and correct the loosenings should be avoided, because of the additional patient stress and high treatment costs. Shape memory alloys (SMA) can help to increase the anchorage stability of implants due to their superelastic behavior. The present study investigates the potential of hybridizing NiTi SMA sheets with additively manufactured Ti6Al4V anchoring structures using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technology to functionalize a pedicle screw. Different scanning strategies are evaluated, aiming for minimized warpage of the NiTi SMA sheet. For biomechanical tests, functional samples were manufactured. A good connection between the additively manufactured Ti6Al4V anchoring structures and NiTi SMA substrate could be observed though crack formation occurring at the transition area between the two materials. These cracks do not propagate during biomechanical testing, nor do they lead to flaking structures. In summary, the hybrid manufacturing of a NiTi SMA substrate with additively manufactured Ti6Al4V structures is suitable for medical implants.

A coupled kinetic Monte Carlo – Finite Element Analysis (kMC–FEA) method is developed with a numerical implementation in the Scalable Implementation of Finite Elements at NASA (ScIFEN). This method is presented as a mesoscale model for Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) material systems. The model is based on Transition State Theory and predicts the nonlinear mechanical behavior of the 1st order solid–solid phase transformation between Austenite and Martensite in SMAs. The kMC–FEA modeling method presented in this work builds upon the work of Chen and Schuh [1, 2]. It represents a “bottom-up” approach to materials modeling and could serve as a bridge for future studies that attempt to link ab initio methods with phenomenological findings in SMA systems. This thesis presents the derivation of the kMC–FEA model, which is then used to probe the various responses expected in SMAs and verify the influence of model parameters on simulation behavior. In a departure from the work of Chen and Schuh, the thermodynamic derivation includes an elastic transformation energy term, which is found to be a significant fraction of the total transformation energy and play an important role in the evolution of a simulation. Theoretical predictions of the model behavior can be made from this derivation, including expected transformation stresses and temperatures. A convergence study is presented as verification that the new elastic energy term proposed in this model is a reasonable approximation. A parameter sensitivity study is also presented, showing good agreement between theoretical predictions and the results of a full-factorial numerical exploration of model outputs. Model simulation demonstrates the emergence of the shape memory effect, an important SMA behavior not shown by Chen and Schuh, along with the expected superelastic effect and thermal hysteresis. Further exploration of simulated model outputs presented in this work involves comparison with experimental data and predicted output values obtained from a separate phenomenological constitutive model. This comparison shows that the kMC–FEA method is capable of reproducing qualitative, but not yet quantitative, responses of real SMA material systems. Discussion of each model parameter and its effects on the behavior of the model are presented as guidelines for future studies of SMA materials. A complete implementation of the method is contained in a new finite element software package (ScIFEN) that is available for future

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Yes / The shape memory effect of highly oriented long‐chain‐branched poly(lactic acid) (LCB‐PLA) prepared through solid‐phase die drawing technology was studied by comparison with PLA. When the recovery temperature increased from 60°C to 120°C, for PLA, only one‐step recovery at about 80°C can be observed and the recovery ratio was below 21.5%, while, for LCB‐PLA, multiple recovery behavior with high recovery ratio of 78.8% can be achieved. For oriented PLA, the recovery curve of the final sample showed the same trend with that of sample suffering just free drawing; while for oriented LCB‐PLA, the recovery curve of the final sample showed the same trend with that of sample suffering just die drawing. After shape recovery, the mechanical properties of LCB‐PLA showed a linear downward trend with the recovery temperature. Together with amorphous phase, the oriented mesomorphic phase, which formed during solid die drawing, can act as switching domains. And thus, upon heating, the chain segment of amorphous phase relaxed at first and triggered the first macroscopical shape recovery, leading to the decrease of long period (Lac) and the thickness of the amorphous layer (La). Then, with further increasing temperature, the oriented mesomorphic phase gradually relaxed resulting subsequently multi‐shape recovery, and the Lac and the La further decreased. Therefore, by regulating the recovery temperature of oriented LCB‐PLA, the shape recovery ratio and mechanical strength can be controlled effectively, and thus the self‐reinforced and self‐fastening effect can be achieved simultaneously for PLA as bone fixation material.

This thesis explores the design, implementation and performance of a new concept for a low-cost, high-resolution, lightweight, compact and highly-portable tactile display. This tactile device is intended to be used in a novel visuo-tactile sensory substitution/supplemen-tation electronic travel aid (ETA) for the blind/visually impaired.Based on the psychophysiology of touch and using Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) as the actuation technology, a mechatronic device was designed and prototyped to stimulate the sense of touch by creating sensations of contact on the fingertips.The prototype consists of an array of 64 elements spaced 2.6 mm apart that vertically actuates SMA based miniature actuators of 1.5 mm diameter to a height range of 1.4 mm with a pull force of 300 mN up to a 1.5 Hz bandwidth. The full display weights 200 g and its compact dimensions (a cube of 8 cm side-length) make it easy for the user to carry. The display is capable of presenting a wide range of tactile binary information on its 8 x 8 matrix. Moreover, both mechanical and electronic drive designs are easily scalable to larger devices while still being price attractive.Human psychophysics experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the tactile information transmitted by the display to sighted people and show feasibility in principle of the system as an assistive technology for the blind/visually impaired.

Tesis por compendio / [EN] The current PhD thesis deals with the development and characterization of novel nanocomposites based on biodegradable poly(mannitol sebacate) (PMS) matrices with tailored properties and shape-memory capabilities for biomedical applications. Two types of fillers -cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and electrospun poly(lactic acid) nanofibers (NF-PLA)- were used as reinforcement in order to induce and/or enhance the shape-memory properties of PMS matrices. Also, different crosslinking profiles and stoichiometric ratios between mannitol and sebacic acid (1:1 and 1:2) were studied and evaluated to obtain samples with low and high degrees of crosslinking. An appropriate combination of the crosslinking profile and the monomer ratio for PMS matrix, as well as the addition of low content of CNC, allowed the development of PMS/CNC nanocomposites with a wide range of mechanical properties and degradation profiles. On the other hand, highly oriented poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanofiber mats obtained by electrospinning were embedded in the PMS matrices. An enhancement of up to 53-fold in the Young's modulus was observed for PMS/NF-PLA nanocomposites filled with 15 wt% of PLA nanofibers. The incorporation of fillers (CNC and NF-PLA) allowed the development of thermally active shape-memory nanocomposites with an enhancement of parameters such as recovery stress and shape fixity. The electrospun PLA-reinforced nanocomposites, offered the best balance of mechanical and thermal properties, as well as a greater control of the transition temperature for switching the change of shape, within a useful range of temperatures. Owing to that, these materials may be of interest as smart responsive systems in long-term biomedical applications. / [ES] La presente tesis doctoral, se centra en el desarrollo y caracterización de nuevos nanocompuestos biodegradables, a partir de matrices de poli(mannitol sebacato) (PMS) con propiedades a medida y capacidades de memoria de forma para aplicaciones biomédicas. Dos tipos de cargas -nanocristales de celulosa (CNC) y nanofibras de ácido poliláctico (NF-PLA) obtenidas mediante electrospinning- se han utilizado como refuerzo, con la finalidad de inducir y/o mejorar las propiedades de memoria de forma en matrices de PMS. Se han estudiado y evaluado diferentes tratamientos de curado y ratios de reacción entre el mannitol y ácido sebácico (1:1 y 1:2), con la finalidad de obtener muestras con bajo y alto grado de reticulación. Una combinación adecuada del tratamiento de curado y el ratio entre monómeros del PMS, así como la adición de bajos contenidos de CNC, permitió desarrollar nanocompuestos de PMS/CNC con un amplio rango de propiedades mecánicas y perfiles de degradación. Por otro lado, se han producido mats de nanofibras de ácido poliláctico (PLA) con alta orientación mediante la técnica de electrospinning, para embeberse en matrices de PMS, observándose una mejora de hasta 53 veces en el módulo de Young para nanocompuestos de PMS/NF-PLA con un 15% en peso de nanofibras. La incorporación de cargas (CNC y NF-PLA) permitió el desarrollo de nanocompuestos con memoria de forma activada térmicamente, con una mejora de parámetros tales como la fuerza de recuperación y la capacidad de fijación. Los nanocompuestos reforzados con NF-PLA obtenidas por electrospinning, ofrecieron el mejor balance de propiedades mecánicas y térmicas, así como un mayor control de la temperatura de transición para la activación del cambio de forma en un intervalo útil de temperaturas. Por todo ello, estos materiales pueden resultar de interés como sistemas activos en aplicaciones biomédicas de larga duración. / [CA] La present tesi doctoral se centra en el desenvolupament i caracterització de nous nanocompostos biodegradables a partir de matrius de poli(mannitol sebacato) (PMS) amb propietats a mesura i capacitats de memòria de forma per a aplicacions biomèdiques. Dos tipus de càrregues -nanocristals de cel·lulosa (CNC) i nanofibres d'àcid polilàctic (NF-PLA) obtingudes mitjançant electrospinning- s'han utilitzat com a reforç amb la finalitat d'induir i/o millorar les propietats de memòria de forma en matrius de PMS. S'han estudiat i avaluat diferents tractaments de curat i ràtios de reacció entre el mannitol i àcid sebàcic (1:1 i 1:2) amb la finalitat d'obtenir mostres amb baix i alt grau de reticulació. Una combinació adequada del tractament de curat i el ràtio entre monòmers del PMS, així com l'addició de baixos continguts de CNC, va permetre desenvolupar nanocompostos de PMS/CNC amb un ampli rang de propietats mecàniques i perfils de degradació. D'altra banda, s'han produït mats de nanofibres d'àcid polilàctic (PLA) amb alta orientació mitjançant la tècnica de electrospinning, per embeure's en matrius de PMS, observant-se una millora de fins a 53 vegades en el mòdul de Young per nanocompostos de PMS/NF-PLA amb un 15% en pes de nanofibres. La incorporació de càrregues (CNC i NF-PLA) va permetre el desenvolupament de nanocompostos amb memòria de forma activada tèrmicament, amb una millora de paràmetres tals com la força de recuperació i la capacitat de fixació. Els nanocompostos reforçats amb NF-PLA obtingudes per electrospinning, van oferir el millor balanç de propietats mecàniques i tèrmiques, així com un major control de la temperatura de transició per a l'activació del canvi de forma en un interval útil de temperatures. Per tot això, aquests materials poden resultar d'interés com a sistemes actius en aplicacions biomèdiques de llarga durada. / Sonseca Olalla, A. (2015). DEVELOPMENT OF SHAPE-MEMORY COMPOSITES BASED ON A BIODEGRADABLE POLYESTER ELASTOMER [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/54129 / Compendio