Materials that make things move™

Adaptamat in brief

Today

AdaptaMat Ltd. has initiated new technology based on Magnetic Shape Memory (MSM) materials. Those materials develop large strokes at high frequencies and high power, and they are expected to greatly simplify electromechanical devices. AdaptaMat is the leading company in the world dedicated to MSM materials and products.

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Today, Adaptamat is entering a new stage of development where its MSM technology is applied to large-scale commercial use for the first time. The company is actively looking for industrial clients as well as partnering with leading companies to apply the technology to various business cases.

Actuating elements made from MSM materials can produce complicated shape changes in the magnetic field. Electromechanical machines will become simpler, as a piece of material can "take the role of a machine". One of the simplest MSM device may consist of just an electromagnet and a piece of MSM material. Machines based on MSM materials will become easily controlled, greatly simplified, lighter and smaller than existing constructions.

Compared to previous magnetically controlled actuator materials, MSM materials have already shown 50 times greater strains at room temperature, and even larger strains seem to be possible. AdaptaMat manufactures MSM elements at its production facilities in Helsinki, Finland. It has patented principal MSM mechanism in e.g. US and Europe, and patent applications are in process in important industrial countries.

Please see the product section on this website for more information.

History

In early 1990's, Dr. Kari Ullakko invented a new way to produce motion by a magnetic field. Certain materials were found to have a specific microstructure and magnetic properties, which cause the material to change its shape when exposed to a magnetic field. These materials were named Magnetic Shape Memory (MSM) materials. AdaptaMat Ltd. was established in Finland in 1996 by Kari Ullakko and his colleague Ilkka Aaltio, to further develop, produce and market adaptive materials to industrial customers.

Magnetic-field-induced strains of 0.2 % in a MSM material were obtained by Dr. Ullakko at Massachussetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1996. Thereafter the company has continued research of MSM materials and raised interest in this new potential technology. Today, strains over 6 percent have been obtained in materials manufactured by AdaptaMat. AdaptaMat has established first stage MSM material and actuator production in 2001 and sells products based on its NiMnGa actuating elements.