Description: A heat engine consisting of a loop of Nitinol wire running on two pulleys. When the smaller pulley is dipped into a cup of hot water the loop of wire rotates.

We have a model of a loop comprised of a length of thread and a short length of wire on two pulleys. The wire simulates the high temperature phase of the Nitinol. If the wire is wound onto one of the pulleys and let go, the loop will rotate until the wire is off the pulley. The operation is not continuous of course.

Cautions:

Concepts demonstrated:

Setup Time: Short

Difficulty/Commitment: Straightforward

Visibility: small

References: PIRA 4F30.60
Spence, RD and Michael J. Harrison "Demonstration Solid State Engine", AJP 52(12), 1144-5 (Dec. 1984)
Johnson, AD and JL McNichols "Comments on 'Demonstration Solid State Engine'", AJP 54(8), 745-6 (Aug 1986)
Kauffman, George B and Isaac Mayo "The ThermobileTM: A Nitinol-Based Scientific Toy" J. Chem. Educ. 75, 313 (1998) (not seen)