Investigation on ferromagnetic shape memory alloys

Ferromagnetic shape memory alloys, exhibiting large recoverable strain and rapid frequency response, appear to be promising shape memory actuator material. These materials exhibit large shape memory effect associating with martensitic transformation, and magnetic-field-induced strain in the martensite state. The recent development in researches on NiMnGa, NiFeGa, and CoNiGa in our group is briefly reviewed. The perspectives of the ferromagnetic shape memory alloy are also described.