A propeller assembly, comprising: a propeller hub; a plurality of propeller blades (202a-202d, 702a-702d), each attached to the propeller hub, and each of the propeller blades (202a-202d, 702a-702d) comprising: a propeller body; a plate coupled to the propeller body; a torque transfer member having a distal end attached to the plate such that the torque transfer member applies to the plate at least a portion of a torque applied to the torque transfer member at a proximal end of the torque transfer member; a shape memory alloy actuator (218, 806a) having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the shape memory alloy actuator (218, 806a) being attached to the torque transfer member, the proximal end of the shape memory alloy actuator (218, 806a) being coupled to the propeller body such that the distal end is mated to the propeller body, the shape memory alloy actuator (218, 806a) being configured to apply the torque to the proximal end of the torque transfer member in response to an application of heat to the shape memory alloy actuator (218, 806a); and an electrical heater to apply the heat to the shape memory alloy actuator (218, 806a); wherein the propeller assembly further includes a multitude of slip rings, wherein there is provided one slip ring of the multitude of slip rings to provide a separate power source for each propeller blade, and one additional slip ring to provide a return path for all of the blades. a propeller hub; a plurality of propeller blades (202a-202d, 702a-702d), each attached to the propeller hub, and each of the propeller blades (202a-202d, 702a-702d) comprising: a propeller body; a plate coupled to the propeller body; a torque transfer member having a distal end attached to the plate such that the torque transfer member applies to the plate at least a portion of a torque applied to the torque transfer member at a proximal end of the torque transfer member; a shape memory alloy actuator (218, 806a) having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the shape memory alloy actuator (218, 806a) being attached to the torque transfer member, the proximal end of the shape memory alloy actuator (218, 806a) being coupled to the propeller body such that the distal end is mated to the propeller body, the shape memory alloy actuator (218, 806a) being configured to apply the torque to the proximal end of the torque transfer member in response to an application of heat to the shape memory alloy actuator (218, 806a); and an electrical heater to apply the heat to the shape memory alloy actuator (218, 806a); wherein the propeller assembly further includes a multitude of slip rings, wherein there is provided one slip ring of the multitude of slip rings to provide a separate power source for each propeller blade, and one additional slip ring to provide a return path for all of the blades. a propeller body; a plate coupled to the propeller body; a torque transfer member having a distal end attached to the plate such that the torque transfer member applies to the plate at least a portion of a torque applied to the torque transfer member at a proximal end of the torque transfer member; a shape memory alloy actuator (218, 806a) having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the shape memory alloy actuator (218, 806a) being attached to the torque transfer member, the proximal end of the shape memory alloy actuator (218, 806a) being coupled to the propeller body such that the distal end is mated to the propeller body, the shape memory alloy actuator (218, 806a) being configured to apply the torque to the proximal end of the torque transfer member in response to an application of heat to the shape memory alloy actuator (218, 806a); and an electrical heater to apply the heat to the shape memory alloy actuator (218, 806a); wherein the propeller assembly further includes a multitude of slip rings, wherein there is provided one slip ring of the multitude of slip rings to provide a separate power source for each propeller blade, and one additional slip ring to provide a return path for all of the blades.