Two-way shape memory surfaces

1. A method for forming a two-way shape memory surface, comprising:

thermomechanically training a shape memory alloy under substantially constant indentation strain, the thermomechanical training including:

removeably securing an indenter to the shape memory alloy in its martensite phase, thereby forming an indent in a surface thereof;

heating the shape memory alloy to its austenite phase, while the indenter is secured thereto; and

quenching the shape memory alloy to its martensite phase, while the indenter is secured thereto;

wherein after thermomechanical training, the shape memory alloy surface exhibits a first indent depth in its martensite phase and a second, different indent depth in its austenite phase.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein removeably securing the indenter to the surface of the shape memory alloy is accomplished by clamping the indenter to the shape memory alloy.

3. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the indenter is configured to indent the surface to a predetermined depth.

4. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the thermomechanical training is repeated.

5. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the shape memory alloy is selected from copper-zinc alloys, copper-aluminum alloys, copper-gold alloys, copper-tin alloys, gold-cadmium based alloys, indium-titanium based alloys, indium-cadmium based alloys, iron-platinum based alloys, iron-palladium based alloys, iron-silicon based alloys, manganese-copper based alloys, nickel-titanium based alloys, nickel-aluminum based alloys, nickel-gallium based alloys, silver-cadmium based alloys, and combinations thereof.

6. The method as defined in claim 1 , further comprising:

removing the indent from the shape memory alloy;

causing a protrusion to form at the surface of the shape memory alloy at a site where the indent was removed; and

causing the protrusion to return to a substantially flattened shape.

7. The method as defined in claim 6 wherein causing the protrusion to form is accomplished by heating the shape memory alloy above its austenite start temperature.

8. The method as defined in claim 6 wherein causing the protrusion to return is accomplished by cooling the shape memory alloy to below its martensite start temperature.

9. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein a stress induced on the shape memory alloy from the indenter increases when the shape memory alloy having the indenter removeably attached thereto is heated.

10. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein an array of indents is formed in the surface.

11. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the indent has a spherical shape, a pyramidal shape, a conical shape.

12. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the indent has a depth equal to or greater than about 2 nm.

13. A method for forming a shape memory surface, comprising:

forming at least one indent by:

cooling a shape memory alloy to its martensite phase;

removeably securing an indenter to a surface of the shape memory alloy, thereby forming the at least one indent in the surface;

heating the shape memory alloy to its austenite phase while the indenter is secured thereto; and

quenching the shape memory alloy to its martensite phase while the indenter is secured thereto;

thereby removing the at least one indent from the surface of the shape memory alloy in its martensite phase;

heating the shape memory alloy to its austenite phase, thereby forming a protrusion at a site where the at least one indent was removed; and

cooling the shape memory alloy to its martensite phase, thereby causing the protrusion to return to a substantially flattened shape.

14. The method as defined in claim 13 wherein the shape memory alloy is a two-way shape memory alloy, and the indent is a two-way indent.

15. The method as defined in claim 14 wherein the indent has a spherical shape, a pyramidal shape, or a conical shape.