“Smart Materials and Shape Memory Alloys” an emerging area in Mechanical Engineering

Dr Ritwik Basu

The Northcap University, Gurgaon

One of the major breakthroughs in the world of materials and manufacturing is the development of smart materials in last two decades. These are materials which exhibit a change in some property with change in the temperature, pressure, stress, magnetic or electrical field. These comprise of a variety of materials which include piezoelectric, shape memory materials, magnetostrictive, pH-sensitive polymers, halochromic materials, ferrofluid, photomechanical materials and many more. Of all these different materials shape memory alloys find the widest applications to date.

Shape memory alloys exhibit two very important properties; shape memory effect(SME) and the pseudo elasticity (PE). SME is the property in which a material when cooled below a critical temperature causesa phase transformation from high temperature phase austenite to a low temperature phase martensite. Deforming the material in the low temperature condition and then reheating back causes the material to regain the high temperature shape and phase. It is very easy to deform the material in the martensitic condition Pseudo-elasticity is the property in which the material undergoes phase transformation from austenite to martensite upon application of stress i.e. the material exhibit softening with increased stress. The high temperature equilibrium phase and shape is restored when the applied stress is withdrawn. Both shape memory and pseudo elasticity isexploited for a large number of products and applications. These include actuators used in aircrafts, eye-glass frames, cardio-vascular stents, dental braces etc.

M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering at NCU

 

Ms. Shikha Kashyap

Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical engineering
The NorthCap University

Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of engineering, physics and materials science for analysis of mechanical processes, manufacturing, design, improvement, creation and maintenance of mechanical systems and subsystems. A master in Mechanical Engineering refers to the completion of a graduate study program that prepares students to further their knowledge of a specific subject or advance their careers. M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering at NCU is a course-based program designed to provide practicing engineers the opportunity to strengthen and extend knowledge they acquired at the undergraduate level, to further develop their analytical skills, and to enhance their ability to comprehend and solve complex and advanced technology concepts. Applications in business, print media, statistics, design engineering, systems and controls, architecture, manufacturing, modeling, packaging, power machines and complex assemblies are just some of the many professional functions to which graduates from Master in Mechanical Engineering programs can apply their skills. NCU is dedicated and focused for working in the direction of nurturing, development and skill enhancement as accoutrement to graduate level knowledge that student carries with him/her before opting masters program, so that he/she can amalgamate effortlessly to any of the fields and domain related to Mechanical Engineering and accrue him/herself during entire period of professional practices. NCU aims to produce academic and industry leaders. We believe that because of our unique and forward-thinking approach to research with state of the art research facilities, laboratories, infrastructure, MOU’s with companies like Mitsubishi Electric India ltd., Power grid Corporation, CAD Centre efficient and highly qualified faculty members, technical staffs;  futuristic curriculum that is being updated periodically in consultation with experts from industry and academia; flexibility for choosing specialization option and their electives subjects; accreditation from National Board of Accreditation (NBA) all India NIRF ranking 82; outstanding Industry-Academia Interaction through guest lectures, industrial visits, internships and workshops; emphasis on holistic development of students through promotion of co-curricular activities and professional societies in the department; excellent placement through our placement partners like CB & I, Denso, Subros, Samsung, Flour Daniel, Maruti and its other various vendor companies etc. This makes NCU a one stop destination to pursue masters in mother streams like Mechanical Engineering and leap high in professional career.