Recent progress in Heusler-type magnetic shape memory alloys

Abstract

Magnetic shape memory alloys (MSMAs), both in condensed matter physics and in material science, are one of the most extensive research subjects. They show prompt response to the external magnetic field and give rise to large strain and have fine reversibility. The well-known example is Heusler-type MSMAs, which possess excellent multifunctional properties and have potential applications in energy transducer, actuator, sensor, microelectromechanical system, and magnetic refrigerator. In this paper, it is shown the recent progress in magnetostructural transformation, magnetic properties, shape deformation, magnetocaloric effect as well as magnetic field-induced shape memory effect in Ni-Mn-Ga, NiMnZ (Z = In, Sn, Sb), and NiCoMnZ (Z = In, Sn, Sb, Al) Heusler-type MSMAs. The remaining issues and possible challenges are briefly discussed.

Thermoelectric properties of S and Te-doped Cu2SnSe3 prepared by combustion synthesis

“…The efficiency of thermoelectric materials depends on the dimensionless figure of merit (ZT), defined as ZT = (S 2 σ/κ)T, where S, σ, κ, and T are Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and the absolute temperature, respectively. A larger ZT leads to a higher efficiency, and up to now most studies on thermoelectric materials have been focused on increasing ZT [2][3][4][5][6][7]. Besides ZT, however, the cost is also of great concern for industrial applications [8].…”

Perpendicular Magnetic Anisotropy in Heusler Alloy Films and Their Magnetoresistive Junctions

“…Since the initial discovery of ferromagnetism in a ternary Cu 2 MnAl alloy, consisting of non-magnetic elements by Heusler in 1903 [38], the Heusler alloys have been studied for various applications, including magnetic refrigeration [39] and shape memory [40]. The Heulser alloys are categorised into two types: full- and half-Heusler alloys in the forms of X 2 YZ and XYZ, respectively, where X and Y are transition metals and Z is a semiconductor or non-magnet.…”

Multiferroic and Related Hysteretic Behavior in Ferromagnetic Shape Memory Alloys

“…Heusler alloys include intermetallic alloys of the type X 2 YZ that acquire an L2 1 structure below a given order–disorder temperature . Among them, Ni‐Mn‐based alloys are particularly interesting due to their magnetic properties and their strong interplay with the underlying crystal lattice . This alloy family is characterized by a ferromagnetic transition at the Curie temperature T c and a first‐order thermoelastic martensitic (i.e., ferroelastic) transition starting at temperature T M .…”