Vacuum, Surfaces & Coatings Group Technology Department 1 Author: F.Niccoli a Co-autors: C.Garion a , C.Maletta b , P.Chiggiato a a CERN-TE/VSC b University of Calabria, Rende, Italy Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) connectors Outline • Introduction: aim of the project • Shape Memory Alloy behavior • SMA connectors for UHV chambers: operation principle • Advantages and potential applications at CERN • SMA selection and ring training • SMA couplers: design and experiments • Possible applications outside of CERN and HEP • Conclusions and future phases