Patents Assigned to The University Nottingham
  • Surface treatment of shape memory alloys
    Patent number: 5863360
    Abstract: A method of treatment of a shape memory alloy involves shot peening of the alloy sample, thereby causing a crystal to amorphous transition of a surface layer of the sample without substantially affecting bulk characteristics of the material, particularly its shape memory behavior and biocompatibility. The method may be used for surface hardening and to reduce coefficients of friction. The method may be advantageously used for treating tissue sutures and orthodontic devices such as dental archwires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignees: The University of Dundee, The University Nottingham
    Inventors: John Vivian Wood, David Malcolm Grant, Sarah Margaret Green