Shape Memory Alloy: The Perfect Solution for Winter Driving Problems
Road safety and convenience are two of the most important aspects of driving in winter conditions. To facilitate safe and comfortable driving, many car owners invest in snow chains and other winter accessories to improve the traction and grip of their car’s wheels. Snow chains are a great tool, but they are often cumbersome and require manual installation. To address this issue, scientists have developed a unique technology that deploys snow chains automatically at the touch of a button – using a shape memory alloy located inside the wheel and tire of the vehicle.
Produced by a joint effort between a German engineering firm and an Austrian tire manufacturer, the shape memory alloy snow chain is gaining worldwide attention for its revolutionary road safety features. The alloy is made of a combination of metals such as nickel-titanium, copper-aluminum-nickel, and nickel-cobalt, and it can be manipulated and molded to fit inside a wheel. Its special material properties allow it to convert mechanical energy into electric energy, and vice versa; when an electric current is applied, it can transform from a soft, malleable shape to a rigid, harder one, which will maintain its shape until the current is reapplied.
The conventional method of deploying snow chains is time-consuming and tiresome. It requires tedious installation and frequent monitoring for possible breaks and defects. By contrast, the new shape memory alloy-based system can be deployed easily with just a single touch of a button. The alloy is housed inside the wheel and the tire and the alloy’s transformation from soft to hard shape when an electric current is applied, allows it to expand and contract. This causes the wheel’s placement to change and thereby create a grip that prevents slipping on icy surfaces. The chain can be removed quickly and easily as well, with just a few additional steps.
The shape memory alloy snow chain has passed several tests with flying colors and proven to be effective and durable. It is expected to revolutionize the safety of winter driving with its easy installation, superior effectiveness, and robust design. In addition, the alloy is environmentally friendly, and both production and disposal of the alloy are relatively low-impact processes.
Thanks to this innovative technology, driving in winter conditions no longer has to be a tedious and dangerous process. The shape memory alloy snow chain, with its single-touch deployment and robust construction, will provide a safe and comfortable driving experience for countless drivers around the world. With the help of this new technology, winter driving will no longer be a daunting task, but a pleasant endeavor.