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Shape Memory Actuation Patent

Technology Innovations LLC and Innovation On Demand Inc. have been issued a US patent for a "Wireless Technique for Microactivation" (No.6,588,208). The patent covers microactuators that can be operated wirelessly by focused beams of energy, enabling the devices to control objects in the 100nm range.
Technology Innovations LLC and Innovation On Demand Inc. have been issued a US patent for a "Wireless Technique for Microactivation" (No.6,588,208). The patent covers microactuators that can be operated wirelessly by focused beams of energy, enabling the devices to control objects in the 100nm range.


The device's inventor Ken Clements says: "These microactuators fill the huge gap between millimeter-size actuators at the high end and scanning-probe-microscope atomic manipulators at the low end, which are limited to moving individual atoms and small molecules slowly around."


Clements is also CEO of Innovation On Demand and a partner in the development of this technology with Technology Innovations.


The device combines two technologies - heat actuated shape memory alloys (SMAs) and electron-beam or photon-beam heating. SMAs use special metal alloys that return to a "memory" state when heated.


The microactuators are created from an SMA thin film. The energy beams direct energy to heat the SMA element of the microactuator. The actuator can be as small as 2x10microns. The partners says that this is 50 times smaller than what's feasible with current microactuator technology.


In addition, a scanning electron microscope (which creates the electron beams) can be used for visual feedback and control. This aspect will be covered in additional patents that are pending.


"Wireless SMA actuators provide a foundation technology for the creation of a wide range of nanotechnology tools that can be powered through the use of laser-based or electron microscopes," says Michael Riedlinger, vice-president of New Business Development for Technology Innovations.


The partners are seeking the participation of other firms and research organisations for expanded development and commercialisation of the technology. The companies see applications in the construction and control of medical devices such as valves and stents, microsurgical instruments, miniaturised manufacturing moulds and manipulation of proteins and genetic components.


Clements and TiNiAlloy, a specialist in shape memory technology, have created working samples. Shape-memory material was sputtered onto tiny substrates and actuated with a scanning electron microscope.



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