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Magnetic shape-memory alloys react to magnetic fields by stretching or contracting.
Optical micrograph of polished cross-section of dual-pore sized Ni-Mn-Ga shape memory foam. Cross-polarization provides color contrast for crystallite twins (colored bands), which are extending from pore to pore (gray).
Magnetic shape-memory alloys react to magnetic fields by stretching or contracting.
Credit: Markus Chmielus (Boise State University and Helmholtz Center Berlin), Xuexi Zhang (Northwestern University and Harbin Institute of Technology), Cassie Witherspoon (Boise State University), David C. Dunand (Northwestern University), Peter Müllner (Boise State University)
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Related story: Metallic Shape-Memory Foam Shows Giant Response to Magnetic Fields