Magnetic shape-memory properties are a consequence of the coupling between magnetic and structural degrees of freedom in systems undergoing a martensitic transition. The application of a moderate magnetic field in this class of functional materials gives rise to large strains by either inducing the transition or rearranging twin-related variants in the martensitic phase. Related to this martensitic transition, these systems also show other interesting functional properties such as giant magnetocaloric and magnetoresistance effects. Ni-Mn-Ga in a range of compositions close to the Heusler composition (Ni₂MnGa) was the first to be discovered and it is considered to be the prototypical material which displays these properties.  In recent years, research has been extended to other magnetic alloys and most particularly to alloys of the Ni-Mn-X family where X is a group IIIA-VA element.

In the present talk, after briefly summarizing the general properties of this class of materials, we will present recent results of relevance for the understanding of the effect of magnetism on the martensitic transformation. Finally, the requirements for the occurrence of multifunctional properties will be discussed.

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1. Field induced structural modifications and magnetocaloric effects in martensitic Heusler alloys