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11h ago

Cu-Al-Mn Alloy Powers High-Output Actuators and Heat Switch at -170°C

By unlocking tunable memory transformation down to -200°C, the alloy paves the way for compact temperature control solutions in space telescopes, cryogenic hydrogen systems.

Mechanical heat switch using shape memory alloy ©Shunsuke Sato et al.
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Overview

  • The copper-aluminum-manganese alloy uniquely retains a shape memory effect at cryogenic temperatures as low as -200°C, outperforming conventional nickel-titanium materials.
  • It delivers large mechanical work output below -100°C, marking the first functional actuator material capable of high performance in extreme-cold environments.
  • A prototype mechanical heat switch using the alloy reliably controlled heat flow at -170°C by alternating between contact and non-contact states.
  • Researchers can fine-tune the alloy’s transformation temperature through precise adjustments of its copper, aluminum and manganese composition.
  • The switch’s simple, compact design could streamline temperature regulation in space telescope cooling systems and in hydrogen transport and storage technologies.