Design Challenge: Incorporating Shape Memory Alloys into Rube Goldberg Devices

By Joyce Allen1; NNCI Nano1

1. National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA

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Teaching Materials

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Abstract

This lesson consists of two parts. In Part 1, students determine which of set of wires is a unique metal alloy called Nitinol. Nitinol is called a shape memory alloy (an SMA) because it can “remember” its original shape under certain conditions after being bent, twisted, or stretched out of shape. Part 2 of this activity will have students design a Rube Goldberg device which will perform a simple task that will be activated by Nitinol. The lesson is is designed to encourage students to compare and contrast science and technology; experimental design and industrial design; and physics and its impact on nanotechnology. The students will be able to analyze and reflect on the forces, motion and energy transformations that can be shown by a Rube Goldberg Device and to experience the impact that Nitinol wire has on the device.

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Sponsored by

NNIN RET program at Georgia Institute of Technology NSF EEC 0601939 and NNIN NSF ECCS 0335765

Cite this work

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

  • Joyce Allen, NNCI Nano (2020), "Design Challenge: Incorporating Shape Memory Alloys into Rube Goldberg Devices," https://nanohub.org/resources/32458.

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Tags

  1. high school
  2. K-12
  3. middle school
  4. NNCI Educational Materials
  5. physical science
  6. Physics
  7. shape memory alloys