Auto-Fitting Smart Materials and Electronics Platform Technologies

Overview

NAMI has developed eMuscle, which employs shape memory polymers as the raw materials to produce various kinds of products with auto fitting, tensioning and fixation functions.

  • Auto-Fitting Smart Materials and Electronics Platform Technologies
Commercialisation opportunities
Non-exclusive licensing
Problem addressed

Elastic polymer materials are widely used as they can be easily stretched or squeezed, and bounce back to their original shape. However, the fabricated product shape is permanent without reconfiguration ability, lacking auto-fitting properties. NAMI’s eMuscle is thus developed to produce various kinds of products with auto fitting, tensioning and fixation functions.

Innovation
  • Through the molecular design of the shape memory polymers of eMuscle, the shape recovery/fixation temperature is tunable. 
  • With the high reversible elongation ratio and tunable recovery temperature of the material, auto fitting and auto tensioning and fixation functions are realized.
Key impact
  • High reversible elongation ratio
  • Tunable shape recovery/fixation temperature
  • Easy for mass production
  • Easy for applications on different products
Award
  • Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury at the “2021 Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions”
Application
  • Rehabilitation devices like adjustable splints
  • Toys with shape memory effect
  • Auto tensioning function for wearable electronics products
  • Shape memory foam with auto fitting function
Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI)

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) is founded in 2000 by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. As Hong Kong’s largest government-funded research and development centre, ASTRI is a key force and super connector driving innovation and technology advancement in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and the global innovation ecosystem. This role is strengthened through its merger with Nano and Advanced Materials Institute (NAMI).

Committed to bringing high impact research from lab to market, ASTRI advances interdisciplinary, market driven R&D that delivers practical innovations for industry and meaningful benefits for society.

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