Extended Laboratory for Biomedical Applications: Development and Validation of an Automated NiTiNol Thermo-Electro-Mechanical Characterization System

Practical exercises are vital in STEM education, reinforcing theoretical knowledge through hands-on activities. Access to labs is crucial from primary schools to universities, even in crowded classrooms or during movement restrictions like pandemics. To meet these challenges, a research team from the Universities of Naples Federico II, Sannio, and Calabria proposes a network of labs enabling remote experiments via extended reality. Students or workers can perform real-device experiments from home at any time, ensuring access to critical training despite physical constraints. Each experiment is unique to an individual or group, preserving authenticity and quality. This paper presents the development of an automated measurement system designed to simultaneously measure and correlate the thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties of Nichel Titanium Naval Ordinance Laboratory (NiTiNol), a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) widely used in biomedical applications. The importance of this didactical experience is highlighted by the increasing implementation of NiTiNol-based actuators in biomedical applications. In the immersive experience guaranteed by the propsal, the students will be able to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the NiTiNol complex thermo-electro-mechanical behavior.