SMA-based Device with Enhanced Rotational Motion - Patent Granted (July-2026)

Delighted to share that our work at Smart Materials, Structures and Systems Laboratory (SMSS Lab), IIT Kanpur has been granted an Indian Patent: A Shape Memory Alloy-based Device with Enhanced Rotational Motion.

The device converts the reciprocating motion of shape memory alloy (SMA) coils into rotational motion. The SMA coils are arranged in an array resembling muscle fibres and drive coil holders sliding on guide bars. Their motion is transmitted to a rotary member through connecting links, while bias springs act as an agonist-antagonist pair to reset the mechanism. A cooling unit sprays coolant onto the heated coils through humidifier units, which shortens the cooling time and allows the device to deliver higher torque at a higher actuation frequency. The concept offers a high power-to-weight ratio and quiet operation, making it suitable for robotics, automated machinery, and power generation applications.

I am sincerely grateful to Prof. Bishakh Bhattacharya, IIT Kanpur for his guidance, and to my co-inventors Shashikant Yadav and Virkeshwar Kumar for their contributions.

For licensing inquiries, please reach out to Tech Transfer @IITK

Patent Certificate