N J I T C O L L E G E O F A R C H I T E C T U R E & D E S I G N d e s i g n s h o w c a s e 2 0 1 4

Smart Screen | Smart and Emergent Materials

Architecture: Spring 2013 4th Year: Martina Decker

Name: Jose L. Diaz

Phone: 973.767.6344

Email: joseluis778@hotmail.com

Concept summary With the muscle wire in its relaxed state the screen remains closed, how-

ever, once heat is applied the smart screen unpuzzles, allowing it to function

as a double skin façade system. This can be controlled by engineering the

wire to respond to very specific temperatures. In this experiment, the smart

wire contracts when reaching a temperature of 70ºF, accomplished by induc-

ing electrical current through the nickel titanium muscle wire, divided in 3x

24cm long pieces, two connected in parallel on both sides of the screen, and

one on top, serving as the muscles that open the screen. A set of 4 compres-

sion springs were used to return the screen back to a closed position.

(Concept image)

Unit A * Ω/cm * cm = VFlexinol 150 0.4 * 0.5 * 10 = 2.00Flexinol 375 2.75 * 0.08 * 72 = 15.84

3.94

24cm

0

voltage required = 15.84total displacement = 3.94cm = 1.55in

total wire length = 24cm x 3 = 72cm

Voltage calculations:

Displacement calculations:Study models

Muscle Wire Relaxed

muscle wire

heat conductor wireelastic wire

�exible (non-elastic) wire

Muscle Wire explorations

muscle wire

heat conductor wireelastic wire

�exible (non-elastic) wire

Muscle Wire Contracted