MagiCurl – A STEM Kit for Learning Shape Memory Materials

Overview

NAMI has developed a STEM kit with its MagiCurl™, a trademarked elastomer filament made up with NAMI's shape memory elastic copolymer material – eMuscle.

  • MagiCurl – A STEM Kit for Learning Shape Memory Materials 0
  • MagiCurl – A STEM Kit for Learning Shape Memory Materials 1
  • MagiCurl – A STEM Kit for Learning Shape Memory Materials 2
Commercialisation opportunities
Non-exclusive licensing
Problem addressed

It aims to facilitate students to explore the science of shape memory materials through different challenges, as well as understand how they differ from ordinary elastic polymer materials that lack reconfigurability or auto-fitting properties.

Innovation
  • eMuscle is a shape memory polymer that deforms when being stretched and returns to its original shape by applying heat under a designable temperature.
  • It allows endless designing possibilities by adjusting the elongation length or stretching time of MagiCurl™ to create customizable spiral shapes.
Key impact
  • Trigger temperature for shape recovery at about 40°C, being easy for children to control with temperature-safe operation
  • Inspire children's creativity through imaginative play
  • Good elasticity: over 300% elongation
  • Good durability: the reversible loop-to-straight shape memory effect can be repeated by over 500 cycles
Award
  • Bronze Medal at the “2024 Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions”
Application
  • MagiCurl™ has also been used to produce a series of toy dolls that enable children to design hairstyles freely for creativity.
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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