This document is a term project on shape memory alloys (SMAs) by Suresh Daravath at South Dakota State University. It provides an outline and overview of SMAs, including their history, types, characteristics, properties, applications, and future potential. SMAs are smart materials that can return to their original shape after being deformed by heat. They have properties like superelasticity and allow large recoverable strains. Common applications of SMAs include use in aircraft, automobiles, robotics, civil structures, and medical devices like stents. The future of SMAs is promising as research continues on innovative applications in fields like engineering.