Magnetically driven shape memory alloys

Significant progress has been made both in experimentation and theoretical modelling of the magnetic shape memory (MSM) effect, where magnetic field can induce strains of 10%. The theoretical models used to analyze and interpret the different experiments provide reliable information and insight into the physical changes involved in the magnetically driven shape memory alloys. The aim of this review is to discuss the presents status of the computational modelling we have done. First, the basic MSM requirements and a brief summary of the experimental results for the prototype material Ni-Mn-Ga are given. Then, in the context of atomic-scale calculations, we focus primarily on the understanding of the structural variants, magnetic anisotropy, and Curie temperatures. Finally, we discuss modelling related to mesoscopic scales where we develop a phase field model for the description of twins.. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.