This nickel/titanium (NiTi) alloy initially ‘remembers’ that it should be straight. If it is bent into a different shape and then dropped in very hot water (90°C), it springs back to its original straight condition. It will repeat this behaviour any number of times. The wire can also be heat treated to remember different shapes. It simply has to be held in the desired shape and then heated to 500°C in a small oven for a few minutes. This means that pupils can now get involved in creating smart springs and other components that a few years ago would have challenged front line researchers. 0.50mm diameter x 1m length.
E8R05264 138 £12.47
B. Ice Melting Kit
This ice melting kit can be used to demonstrate the difference in thermal conductivity and thermal capacity between two different materials.
The kit consists of two identically sized blocks, one made of aluminium, the other made of plastic.
When an ice cube is placed on the aluminium block it turns into water in seconds, while an ice cube placed on the plastic block melts slowly.
E8R06949 £24.57
C. Electrolycra Strip
This material looks and feels like ordinary Lycra but is highly conductive. It can be cut into narrow strips to form conducting ‘wires’ or can be used as a soft compliant substitute for metal and foil in switches and sensors. Amazingly, its conductivity depends how tightly it is stretched so if you pull it, the resistance increases (and drops again when stretched very tightly). In a thin strip, the material also warms up when current is passed thus provides the basis of a heated garment or product such as a hat or gloves. 100 x 1450mm strip. BEK and leads not included.
E8R05262 Empowering science departments with high quality equipment since 1817 £49.83