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This Collection welcomes original research on shape memory alloys, with a focus on their synthesis, structural and functional characterisation, and emerging applications.
Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are a unique class of functional materials that can recover their original shape after deformation when exposed to appropriate thermal or mechanical stimuli. This remarkable behaviour has positioned SMAs at the forefront across diverse fields, from biomedical devices and aerospace actuators to robotics and smart infrastructure. Recent advances in alloy design, processing techniques, and characterisation methods have significantly expanded the performance envelope of SMAs, enabling enhanced fatigue resistance, faster response times, and greater design flexibility. At the same time, the complex interplay between microstructure, thermomechanical behaviour, and functional fatigue continues to drive fundamental research.