Momentive Performance Materials today announced that it has provided support to Willat Design Works, a leading silicone-based design and solutions provider, in Willat’s development of Elexium® silicone materials, a re-formable ergo-morphic technology that conforms to the contours of any product and is responsive to the pressure of the human touch. Elexium silicone materials have the potential for use in a wide variety of industries, including medical/dental, automotive and consumer goods. Momentive will be the provider of silicone elastomer and silicone gel materials developed for each of Willat’s Elexium applications. Willat’s groundbreaking silicone technology is now on display at Momentive’s booth 2101 at MD&M West, which is the world’s largest event for medical manufacturing.
The Elexium technology offers a unique combination of a molded silicone outer skin and a silicone gel interior. This creates a custom fit with a high degree of “form” around the human body, as well as “memory,” which typically allows at least three seconds of displacement before the material returns to its original shape. Elexium silicone materials may enable product designers to engineer solutions that reduce hand fatigue and repetitive stress syndrome. Thus Elexium materials can provide product designers with an alternative to consider when a high degree of design flexibility is needed for complex shapes in any applications that require adaptation for handheld equipment and other uses. In the case of the medical industry, the ergo-morphic nature of this product makes it a good candidate for consideration for surgical and dental instruments, in pressure care applications, external prosthetics, and patient positioning devices.
“We are very pleased to work with Willat in its development of this cutting-edge material that gives product designers a greater degree of design freedom to provide comfort technology in a wide range of industries, including the healthcare industry,” said James Papa, global marketing manager, Momentive. “As device manufacturers continue to look to provide enhanced ergonomics, Momentive’s expertise and creativity allow us to deliver innovative solutions that can help companies in many industries create higher performing, breakthrough products.”
“With Elexium technology, the product you hold is suddenly made just for you. This is where product talks to the customer and says ‘I am yours.’ Elexium solutions replace industrial with personal,” said Boyd Willat, founder of Willat Design Works. Willat’s Elexium silicone materials are available as standard products or can be tailored to suit each user’s specific applications or requirements. Willat’s ergo-morphic solution, which Willat Design Works notes is both hypoallergenic and odorless, is offered in a standard transparent color, but can be customized to client specifications. The material is offered in durometers ranging from 10-80 Shore A hardness, has typical tear strength of 230 ppi, and an elongation of approximately 650 percent. It also has been demonstrated to perform well in extreme temperatures ranging from –76°F to 400°F.
About Momentive Performance Materials
Momentive Performance Materials is a premier specialty materials company, providing high-technology materials solutions to the silicones, quartz and ceramics markets. The company is a global leader with worldwide operations, a robust product portfolio, industry-leading research and development capabilities, and a long tradition of service excellence.
About Willat Design Works
Willat Design Works (WDW) is the creator and owner of the Elexium technology, and designer of the Elexium Pod Technology systems. The Elexium Pod Technology can transform any concept into an exciting new product, or transform an existing product into an improved version.
“When Elexium technology is used with different products, on handles, grips, rests, controllers, edges, accents, cushions and pads, it creates a unique touch experience, by providing comfort through retained displacement and memory return,” said Gary Delgado, president of WDW. Willat Design Works, founded by Boyd Willat, creator of the Plasmium technology, the original gold standard of comfort technology, and the award-winning Sensa pen has been creating products addressing the issues of ergonomics and comfort for over 25 years. Mr. Willat created the consumer brand DayRunner, a systematic series of personal organizers and tools to manage time and projects. Willat Design Works is based in Los Angeles with an office in New York City. http://www.elexium.net/.