We have developed technology for manufacturing devices that readily contain magnetic shape memory (MSM) alloy sections that can be actuated by an external magnetic field. These 4D printed ‘living' machines allow development of new generation of fast and simple digital components, such as the digital hydraulic valves. In the project, we will make the proof-of-concept digital hydraulic valve and simulate its usability for selected machines, such as excavators, forklifts and agricultural tractors. We will study how the usage of digital hydraulics based on 4D printed MSM valves will affect user feeling, fuel consumption, and the productivity of such machines is of particular interest. The manufactured proof-of-concept valve will be given for testing to the selected stakeholders. We will identify the most promising early adopter markets and applications, considering market up-take and impact potentials and providing individual and shared plans for the selected partners to address these.

2025

2026