The Nitinol Engine - AstroMedia
Pre-punched cardboard kit for a fully functional heat engine, powered by warm water and a wire ring made of Nitinol
Fascinating Feature
We are pleased to be able to offer you the world's first mass-produced Nitinol motor of this design. Show it to someone who is interested in technology or alternative energy sources: you can be sure they will be amazed, not least at the reasonable price. In fact, there is nothing comparable in Europe or anywhere else in the world.The heart of this very unusual heat engine is a ring of hair-thin nitinol wire (0.3 mm). A little warm water is all it needs, and then the nitinol motor begins to turn and pound tirelessly.
Nitinol, an alloy of nickel and titanium, has highly unusual properties: When warm, it is stiff and elastic like spring steel, but below a certain temperature it becomes pliable like soft iron. You can repeat this as often as you like, Nitinol always returns to its old shape when heated, suddenly and with astonishing force. The snap temperature of our Nitinol wire ring is 45°.
And this is how the Nitinol motor works: In the air, the wire is soft; where it is immersed in the 50° warm water, it suddenly becomes stiff and straight. But because the grooved wheel forces it into a curve, it has to move upwards. In doing so, it pulls a new piece of wire behind it into the warm water, whereupon the whole thing starts all over again.
The basic principle, invented by Frederic Wang in 1985, is effective even at low temperature differences and has great future potential for alternative energy production.
Replacement wire for the Nitinol motor here:
A detailed illustrated construction report can be found here.
| Aspiration scale: | Medium |
|---|---|
| Time Line: | 5 Hour |
Kit for assembly:
6 pre-punched and printed sheets of construction cardboard, DIN A4
Incl. accessories:
1 Nitinol wire ring, Ø approx. 10 cm, cross section Ø 0.3 mm
6 disks made of hard plastic, 20 mm (AD) x 3.3 mm (ID) x 1 mm, (shaft bearings)
12 disks made of nylon, 7 mm (AD) x 3.2 mm (ID) x 0.5 mm (sliding disks)
2 shafts made of hard aluminum, Ø 3 mm, length 115 - 130 mm
1 grooved wheel made of plastic, 60 mm (AD) x 3.1 mm (ID) x 4 mm, (impeller)
1 grooved wheel made of plastic, 30 mm (AD) x 3.1 mm (ID) x 4 mm, (drive wheel)
1 silicone tube, 4 mm (AD) x 1.5 mm (ID) x 120 mm
1 round wood, Ø 3 mm, length 200 mm
1 template sheet
detailed assembly instructions
Not included: beverage can, tea light
Dimensions of the built article: approx. 16 x 19 x 14.5 cm
Construction time: approx. 5 hours
Distributor:
PGI-Skarabäus, Im Kränzliacker 9, 79576 Weil am Rhein, Germany, pgi-shop.de
PGI-Skarabäus, Lerchenstrasse 38, 4147 Aesch, Switzerland, pgi-shop.ch
Manufacturer: AstroMedia GmbH, Im Wirrigen 30, 45731 Waltrop, Germany, astromedia.de
Adult supervision:
Children under 14 years of age should only use the kit under adult supervision to avoid risks from improper handling.
Be careful with small parts:
Hazard of suffocation! Keep small parts out of the reach of small children.
Risk of injury:
Be particularly careful when handling pointed and sharp parts! Use sharp tools carefully, if necessary take suitable safety measures to avoid injuries.
Do not touch the kettle (drinks can) during and after use until it has cooled down completely. Keep children and unauthorized persons away from it during use.
Fire hazard:
Be careful with open fire and heat sources. Product contains highly flammable materials. Never leave unattended when in use.
Use of tea lights:
When using tea lights, follow the manufacturer's safety instructions. Never leave burning tea lights unattended.
Use of adhesive:
When using adhesive, follow the manufacturer's safety instructions. Work in well-ventilated rooms and avoid skin or eye contact.
Intended use:
The set may only be used in accordance with the enclosed instructions. Independent modifications can impair the functionality and safety of the built model.
Der Nitinol-Motor - Deutsch€34.90
€33.16
€31.41
€27.92