Shape Memory Materials Database Tool—A Compendium of Functional Data for Shape Memory Materials

A database tool is developed for archiving and exploring shape memory materials including shape memory alloys (SMAs), superelastic alloys, magnetic SMAs, shape memory polymers, and shape memory ceramics. Over 750 000 data points and their pedigree metadata are extracted and stored into records. Data are handled via a graphical user interface running in a web application. The tool provides interactive menus for the selection of material types, properties, and filters, culminating with a visualization panel. Data are displayed in three forms, consisting of pie charts, 2D scatter plots, and ternary diagrams, all of which provide unique information pertinent to the materials and properties being explored. This database tool is a major stepping stone toward building an information system where an entire continuum of material novices to experts can have an infrastructure to explore and discover these multifunctional materials.