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The exploitation of the elastocaloric effect in superelastic shape memory alloys (SMA) for cooling applications shows a promising energy efficiency potential but requires a better understanding of the non-homogeneous martensitic phase transformation. Temperature profiles on sputter-deposited superelastic $${\mathrm {Ti_{55.2}Ni_{29.3}Cu_{12.7}Co_{2.8}}}$$ shape memory alloy thin films show localized release and absorption of heat during phase transformation induced by tensile deformation with a strong rate dependence. In this paper, a model for the simulation of the thermo-mechanically coupled transformation behavior of superelastic SMA is proposed and its capability to reproduce the mechanical and thermal responses observed during experiments is shown. The procedure for experiment and simulation is designed such that a significant temperature change from the initial temperature is obtained to allow potential cooling applications. The simulation of non-local effects is enabled by the use of a model based on the one-dimensional Müller-Achenbach-Seelecke model, extended by 3D mechanisms such as lateral contraction and by non-local interaction, leading to localization effects. It is implemented into the finite element software COMSOL Multiphysics, and comparisons of numerical and experimental results show that the model is capable of reproducing the localized transformation behavior with the same strain rate dependency. Additionally to the thermal and the mechanical behavior, the quantitative prediction of cooling performance with the presented model is shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situ measurements are a pivotal extension of conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM). By means of the shape memory alloy NiTi thin film Functional Grids were produced for in situ straining as alternative or at least complement of expensive commercial holders. Due to the martensite-austenite transition temperature straining effects can be observed by use of customary heating holders in the range of 50 to 100   °C. The grids can be produced in diversified designs to fit for different strain situations. Micro tensile tests were performed and compared with finite element simulations to estimate the applied forces on the sample and to predict the functionality of different grid designs. As a first example of this Functional Grid technology, we demonstrate the impact of applying a strain to a network of ZnO tetrapods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]