Innovative Processing Technologies

CleanTech North 2011 Innovation Company Award Winner

Innovative Processing Technologies (IPT) Inc. is actively commercializing their groundbreaking Multiple Memory Material (MMM) technology, which can give greater functionality to shape memory alloys (SMAs). SMAs are materials that are capable ofexhibiting a shape memory and are widely used in numerous applications such as aerospace, automotive, micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), and microelectronics industries. Recently, these alloys have been identified as a top candidate for clean energy solutions that can secure energy security and efficiency. One of the many Cleantech applications includes harvesting wasted heat, which can be converted into mechanical energy that in turn generates electricity. With significant worldwide losses of energy in the form of heat, it is expected that quintillions of joules could be recovered, slashing fossil-fuel consumption. However, until now, applications of SMAs have been severely limited since they can only ‘remembering’ a single shape. The new MMM technology enables multiple memories to be embedded in a monolithic component, making a smart material even smarter! This technology promises to revolutionize the application SMA’s by making existing components lighter, more functional and efficient.