A comprehensive exploration of shape memory alloys: Fundamentals, structural reinforcements, nano-analysis, machine learning perspective, and emerging applications

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are widely used across various industries, including medicine, due to their inherent properties such as the shape memory effect, pseudo-elasticity, antigenicity, decomposition, biodegradability, biocompatibility, resistance to corrosion, and wear. This review article aims to cover different aspects of SMAs, including their fundamental concepts such as origin, exceptional properties, fabrication techniques, and structural analysis. Exploring the SMAs at the nanoscale using molecular dynamics analysis and recent studies that integrate machine learning techniques. Finally, the article concludes with a discussion of various applications of SMAs, considering the properties and potential fields of use.