The Nitinol Engine - AstroMedia
A fantastic gift and a real eye-catcher!
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: | 2,0 Hours |
pre-cut and printed construction cardboard
for assembly, 6 x DIN A4
with detailed building instructions
with extensive accessories such as nitinol wire ring, axles and wheels
Drink can and tea light are not included in delivery
Dimensions of the assembled item: approx. 16 x 14 x 19 cm (W/D/H), without connecting rods
Der Nitinol-Motor - Deutsch€34.90
€33.16
€31.41
€29.67