Memory Golf Clubs eing in the swing of things is only one conse- Memry's Super-Elastic Nitinol materials have many quence of products using technology commer- application within the medical equipment industry. As a cialized by Memry@C orporation of Brookfield, binary nickel-titanium alloy, Nitinol can accommodate Connecticut. Incorporating proprietary shape memory large strain deformations and spring back to their alloys, a new line of golfwedges and putters has been original shape when stress is removed. This element, developed. therefore, is suitable for catheter guide wires, lesion Memry Corporation's investigation of shape localizers, suture anchors and dental arch wires. memory effect (SME) stems from Marshall Space Flight Other Memry products already available to the Center contracts to study materials for the space station. consumer include MemrySafew,a n anti-scald product; SME is a property of certain metal alloys that can UltraValve@a, temperature selection and control system change from shape to shape depending on temperature for baths and showers; and FireCheka, a reusable fire fluctuations. Starting in the late 1980s and early 1990s, safety valve for industrial facilities. Memry made use of its NASA-spurred expertise to MemrySafe is built around the ability to instantly create a line of home and industrial safety products. restrict water flow in shower or sinks before scalding. A proprietary, high-damping shape memory alloy Comprising a memory metal alloy, a patented valve called Zeemet' has been developed by Memry specifi- reacts to temperature, not pressure. The unit can sense cally for the golf industry. The NirNpus Golf Equip- hazardous scalding water, reducing the flow of hot water ment Company to a trickle. When the scalding temperature drops to a of West Palm less dangerous level, the unit automatically resumes Beach, Florida normal flow. has created a UltraValve is a touch-of-the-button bathing feature. new line of golf With the press of a button, water can be turned on or clubs using off,w ith water temperature selected according to Zeemet inserts. personal preference. Exact water temperature is dis- The value of played at every moment on a user-friendly control panel. applying shape This "smart bathing system also protects its user from scalding water. FireChek provides for emergency shut down of inserts is process control lines that handle flammable and toxic twofold: its fluids and gases. This product can be applied to any superelastic and pneumatically-operated process value. If excessive heat is high damping sensed by the shape memory element, the system Pro*erties ofmetd attributes. For the avid golfer, that translates into more immediately vents the pneumatic actuator pressure. This aUoys studiedfor the Sbace Station spin on the ball, greater control and a solid feel. closes the supply line. FireChek is suitable for process program have sparked Upon closer examination, the dub insert basically industries such as petrochemical, chemical, semiconduc- a new line ofg& undergoes a split second change in its metallurgical tor, pharmaceutical and large oil and gas fired boilers. clubs. Shape memory structure upon impact with the golf ball. This elastic metalgives the most seasonedgolfi new property keeps the ball on the club face longer. That Memry, MemrySafe, UltraValve, FireChek, and Zeemet are @ control andfie]. supplies more spin to the ball but not at the expense of registered trademarks of Memy Corporation. distance. More "bite" on the fairway is every golfer's desire. The science of shape memory has permitted Memry Corporation to generate an assortment of commercial sales. For instance, McDomell Douglas of St. Louis, Missouri and Memry signed a contract in February 1996 to develop a unique control surface for helicopter blades. Memry is designing and manufacturing small micropro- cessor-controlled tabs for the trailing edges of the helicopter blades. By controlling the tabs, a pilot can Jack Nicklaus insert wedges using shape memory met& offws fine tune each blade for improved performance and vibration damping qualities that make a real dzjfkence on the golf reduced vibration. The actuation that provides the tab course. motion is a shape memory alloy torsion device. Commercial Benefits-Spinoffs