Abstract: A vehicle flow trip, includes a moveable body portion in physical communication with a vehicle body, and an actuator comprising an active material in operative communication with the vehicle body and the moveable body portion; wherein the active material undergoes a change in a property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in a property is effective to displace the moveable body portion from either an original position or a deployed position in an airflow stream to the other of the original or the deployed position through motion of the actuator.

Abstract: Mechanically interlocking releasable fastener systems include a reinforced shape memory polymer for forming one of the interlocking components. The reinforced shape memory polymer includes a filler material in the form of a fiber and/or platelet. The filler can include an electrically conductive filler, a thermally conductive filler, a dielectric fillers, and mixtures thereof. Also disclosed herein are processes for using the releasable fastener systems.

Abstract: Mechanically interlocking releasable fastener systems include a reinforced shape memory polymer for forming one of the interlocking components. The reinforced shape memory polymer includes a filler material in the form of a fiber and/or platelet. The filler can include an electrically conductive filler, a thermally conductive filler, a dielectric fillers, and mixtures thereof. Also disclosed herein are processes for using the releasable fastener systems.

Abstract: An active material actuator assembly is provided having first and second active material components operatively connected to a movable member. Movement of the movable member is modulated, which may be due to activation of the first and second active material components being at least partially temporally distinct or the active material components differing in at least one characteristic affecting movement.

Abstract: Active seal assemblies employing active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the active seal assemblies actively change modulus properties such as stiffness, shape orientation, and the like. The active seal assemblies are generally configured to reduce the noise (sound waves) that is transmitted through the seal by measuring and actively canceling and/or absorbing the noise.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a programmable shim 28 for positioning a work piece 12 comprising a first plate 30; an optional reference frame 32; and an actuator 34 in operative communication with the first plate 30 and the reference frame 32. Disclosed herein too is a method of aligning a work piece 12 comprising disposing the work piece 12 upon a first plate 30 of a programmable shim 28; activating an actuator 34 with an external stimulus; wherein the actuator 34 is in operative communication with the first plate 30; and displacing the work piece 12.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a cover system can comprise: a cover and an active material component in operable communication with the cover. The active material component can comprise an active material that enables the deployment and retraction of the cover.

Abstract: Accessing interior compartments for storage or other purposes is improved by the use of one or more active material components. Activating one or more active material components carries out one or more of the following functions: opening or closing the compartment (which may include cinching a closure) and/or latching or unlatching a closure from a frame. Activation may result from a remote trigger signal. A method is provided for controlling access to an interior compartment that may be carried out by a controller operatively connected to various active material components that unlatch the closure from the frame, close the closure and cinch the closure to the frame, respectively.

Abstract: A device for selectively controlling and varying surface texture includes a body having at least one surface, and an active material in operative communication with the at least one surface, wherein the active material is configured to undergo a change in a property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in a property is effective to change a texture of the at least one surface.

Abstract: A device for selectively controlling and varying a frictional force level at an interface between two bodies, includes a first contact body having at least one surface, a second contact body having at least one surface in physical communication with the first contact body, and an active material in operative communication with a selected one or both of the first contact body and the second contact body, wherein the active material is configured to undergo a change in a property upon receipt of an activation signal wherein the change in a property is effective to change the frictional force level at the interface between the at least one surface of the first contact body and the at least one surface of the second contact body.

Abstract: A vehicle flow trip, includes a moveable body portion in physical communication with a vehicle body, and an actuator comprising an active material in operative communication with the vehicle body and the moveable body portion; wherein the active material undergoes a change in a property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in a property is effective to displace the moveable body portion from either an original position or a deployed position in an airflow stream to the other of the original or the deployed position through motion of the actuator.

Abstract: Accessing interior compartments for storage or other purposes is improved by the use of one or more active material components. Activating one or more active material components carries out one or more of the following functions: opening or closing the compartment (which may include cinching a closure) and/or latching or unlatching a closure from a frame. Activation may result from a remote trigger signal. A method is provided for controlling access to an interior compartment that may be carried out by a controller operatively connected to various active material components that unlatch the closure from the frame, close the closure and cinch the closure to the frame, respectively.

Abstract: Mechanically interlocking releasable fastener systems include a reinforced shape memory polymer for forming one of the interlocking components. The reinforced shape memory polymer includes a filler material in the form of a fiber and/or platelet. The filler can include an electrically conductive filler, a thermally conductive filler, a dielectric fillers, and mixtures thereof. Also disclosed herein are processes for using the releasable fastener systems.

Abstract: An active material actuator assembly is provided having first and second active material components operatively connected to a movable member. Movement of the movable member is modulated, which may be due to activation of the first and second active material components being at least partially temporally distinct or the active material components differing in at least one characteristic affecting movement.

Abstract: A panel having active material based segments, wherein the segments define a hinge location that can be selectively stiffened or folded on demand. The active material based segments include an active material such that activation of the active material by an activation device can allow folding of the panel, can effect self-folding of the panel, or can serve to lock the panel into a fixed position when not activated. In this manner, the panel that can be variously stiffened or folded on demand. Other embodiments include forming the panel of the active material such that the panel can be compacted and stowed upon activation of the active material to change the modulus properties thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an adaptive head light assembly, comprising a parabolic reflector for housing a filament assembly; a lever arm having one end pivotably affixed to a bearing point of the parabolic reflector; an actuator in operative communication with the other end of the lever arm to actuate motion of the lever arm, wherein the actuator comprises a shape memory material adapted to change a shape orientation or modulus property upon receipt of an activation signal; and a spring in operative communication with the other end of the lever arm and adapted to provide a restoring force.

Abstract: Active seal assemblies employing active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the active seal assemblies actively change modulus properties such as stiffness, shape orientation, and the like. In this manner, in seal applications such as a vehicle door application, door opening and closing efforts can be minimized yet seal effectiveness can be maximized.