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Heatmobile 2.0
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Heatmobile 2.0

Shopping Satisfaction
(40)
Exergia
(Code: 354)
4032066067006
95030099
200g
This Shape Memory Metal (Nitinol) engine is driven by hot water!
£ 23.99
-40%
£ 39.99
-+
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This Shape Memory Metal (Nitinol) engine is driven by hot water! You may recall the famous Thermobile, created in 1985 by Frederick Wang. The Heatmobile 2.0 is a similar design, although offered as a simple self-assembly kit. It is essentially a heat engine that demonstrates the conversion of heat into mechanical energy. It uses the unique property of Nitinol alloy called the "memory effect".

Once Nitinol has been formed into shape at high temperature (about 600º C) and allowed to cool to room temperature, it can be easily deformed. However, when heated above a transition temperature (in this case about 70ºC to 80º C) the Nitinol object abruptly returns to its high-temperature shape with substantially more force than that required to deform it when cold. Heatmobile 2.0 uses a Nitinol wire formed into a closed loop that drives the two connected wheels. However the high temperature shape of the wire is straight. So when the bottom part of the wire loop is heated by the water, it tries to deform into a straight shape. This action provides a torque at the bottom wheel, and causes it to rotate. As the wire goes up around the top wheel, it is cooled by the air.

Supplied as a kit. You will need a screwdriver and a pair of pliers. Simple construction. No soldering involved.

Made in Germany.

Suggested Age 16+

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Customer reviews
Shopping Satisfaction
 5/5
Excellent as always.
Harry W.
Shopping Satisfaction
 5/5
Voil?? une application int?ressante et prometteuse de ces ?tranges alliages que sont les mat?riaux ?? m?moire de forme. Facile ?? utiliser mais extraordinaire pour faire comprendre aux ?l??ves cette transformation d'?nergie thermique basse et ?nergie m?canique.
Philippe DELSATE Review collected by Feefo
Shopping Satisfaction
 3/5
Phillip Mickelsen Review collected by Feefo
Shopping Satisfaction
 1/5
It didn't do what it is supposed to do.
Dani?lle van Klink Review collected by Feefo
Shopping Satisfaction
 4/5
Fabulous little engine but it doesn't work if you use a plastic beaker - only a china mug. I would love to know why. It didn't seem to be anything to do with the relative heat conductance of the materials - I used boiling water for both.
Judy Robertson Review collected by Feefo
Shopping Satisfaction
 4/5
Instructions were not great, but once I'd worked out what I was doing wrong I loved this.
Adrian Green Review collected by Feefo
Shopping Satisfaction
 4/5
I need to do a litlle change in the Thermobile 2.0 but i dont have problems!
Edwing Salazar Review collected by Feefo
Shopping Satisfaction
 5/5
Katrina Jago Review collected by Feefo
Shopping Satisfaction
 5/5
Christoph Debler Review collected by Feefo
Shopping Satisfaction
 5/5
Great product - thanks.
Ian Thompson Review collected by Feefo