ROMA – From Rovers on the moon to bicycles on earth: NASA’s “almost indestructible” NiTinol + tires, used for space agency vehicles, could soon find application on bicycle wheels. The Smart Tire Company is working with scientists from the US space agency to adapt a technology of the latter for tires, called “Shape Memory Alloy Radial Technology” (Smart), to bicycles. According to the company’s anticipations, if everything goes as planned, the “tires” of the bikes will be safe from punctures and wear (they are without air). The Californian company intends to use the technology developed for the marketing of “Martensite Elasticized Tubular Loading” (Metl) tires, which should be available as early as next year. The new bicycle tires (but applications for other motor vehicles are also being studied), in addition to the resistance of their NASA ancestors, will offer a Polyuerthanium tread, similar to rubber but able to guarantee greater traction on all types of terrain and with all weather conditions.
NASA’s Smart tire, originally developed for use in future rover missions to the moon and to Mars, is made up of interconnected spirals of NiTinol +, a light alloy of nickel and titanium. The main feature of NiTinol +, a very elastic material, is that after an impact it returns to its original shape at the molecular level without losing structural integrity. Earl Cole who launched the Smart Tire Company last year along with engineer Brian Yennie said, “Riders will be looking forward to getting their hands on these non-puncture Metl tires.” The company is also working with Spin, a company in the Ford Motor Company orbit, to develop SMA tires for electric scooters. “We are excited about Metl’s potential,” said James Berg, Head of Research and Development at Spin (Ford Mobility), “and we are sharing our knowledge on the performance and specifications of scooter tires with The Smart Tire Company to help drive the company forward. our mission to create cleaner, safer and better transport for all ”. According to the Smart Tire Company, the new Metl tires will be available to cycling enthusiasts in early 2022, although the list prices have not yet been defined. (mr)
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