NASA has been creating cutting-edge tire technologies since 1967 for its explorations on the Moon, Mars, and other planets in our solar system.
Now, a FedTech NASA Startup Program is making sure that these outer space technologies come down to Earth.
The SMART Tire Company has introduced the Shape Memory Alloy Radial Technology (SMART), which is minted to be a revolutionary tech in the tire industry.
The company claims that this tire will transform how cars operate both on and off-road, opening up new global mobility possibilities.
(Photo : NASA Glenn Research Center/ The SMART Tire Company)
Superelastic Tires
These superelastic tires, which were first created by NASA and are now being commercialized for use on land by The SMART Tire Company, are robust, durable, and do not go flat. It was constructed out of NiTinol+ (nickel-titanium), a unique technological material that is both robust like titanium and elastic like rubber.
The extraordinary difficulties NASA rover experiences on Mars, where there are no roadways, temperatures of up to -100C, and other challenges gave birth to these superelastic tires.
A patented load-bearing design of the SMART Tire will also make use of the special qualities found in shape memory alloys.
These unique metals can rapidly expand, compress, bend, and then unbend with enough force to move massive items. Through molecular phase changes, the tire retains 100% of its shape even after severe distortion, according to the SMART Tire company.
METL Airless Bicycle Tire
A novel style of airless bicycle tire called METL will be the first commercially available item from the company. In the near future, it's anticipated that these tires would outlast other equipment and eliminate the need for ongoing maintenance on cars.
The SMARTT Tire company boldly states that its light, superelastic, space-age metal tires will be vital in the future of transportation such as autonomous and electric vehicles.
The METL airless bicycle tire won CES 2023 Innovation Awards in the categories of Eco-Design & Smart Energy, and Vehicle Tech & Advanced Mobility and Sustainability.
The company will exhibit its tires at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada, from January 5-8.
The METL bicycle tire is anticipated to cost between $100 and $150 at launch or be competitively priced as a high-end wheelset. Orders for these tires will be accepted starting in Q1 2023.
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Revolutionize the Global Tire Industry
Aluminum and steel tires have suffered damage from the terrain associated with space exploration since the first Apollo missions.
But future Lunar Terrain Vehicles (LTVs), Mars rovers, and other space mission vehicles will soon be able to travel farther and carry greater loads with the help of shape memory alloy tires, according to the company.
"The SMART Tire Company is further developing this space-age, tire technology and will be making it available to the world," the firm wrote on its website.
"With a tire that is comparable to the average pneumatic tire (common, air-filled tire), we plan to revolutionize the global tire industry with a new way of thinking for all vehicles, from bicycles and electric scooters, to automobiles, trucking and aerospace."
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