GCSP research stipend | Spring 2025

Implications of Nitinol Usage for Linear Actuation in Antenna Systems

Nitinol is a durable and ductile shape-memory alloy (between nickel and titanium) that contracts when heated. In wire form, it can be used for various engineering applications, as kinematic motion is generated due to new constraints on degrees of freedom. Within the scope of this research, nitinol wire was incorporated into a 900 mHz antenna stowability system meant to improve upon current space technologies due to the structural simplicity of a metal wire-based design. Beyond mechanical and electrical implications, nitinol wire is cost-effective and will make such technologies more accessible to the public, allowing more people to engage with science.