Shape memory alloy (SMA) valves

Dolphin Fluidics designs and manufactures shape memory alloy (SMA) valves for OEMs in health tech, food and beverage, agriculture and industrial automation. Each SMA valve replaces the solenoid with a patented shape memory actuator: silent operation, power consumption up to 20 times lower than conventional solenoid valves and, on our smart valves, closed-loop control built into the valve itself. Every model can be customized to your fluidics, electronics and communication requirements.

 

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Compare our shape memory alloy valves

Dolphin Fluidics valves are mechatronic devices. Ultra-fine SMA wires, 100 to 200 microns in diameter, open and close the valve without the coils, plungers and springs of a solenoid. On our smart valves, the actuator works together with a 32-bit microprocessor that runs the control loop and with digital interfaces for IoT platforms. The antivacuum and mixing valves use the same alloy as a passive thermostatic element, with no power supply. Compare the eight models below to find the right valve for your application.

 

Smart HP Liquid valve


hp shape memory form valve

The Smart HP Liquid valve is a 2-way, normally closed valve with on/off and proportional closed-loop control, designed to dose and dispense liquids with high precision and no drift over time, even under high pressure.

 

Why choose it

 

  • Pressure range up to 20 bar on liquids
  • Proportional closed-loop control on board
  • Hardware interface for external pressure, flow or temperature sensors
  • Full-seal gasket for a perfect seal and high valve hygiene
  • Quick-connect cartridge integrated in the valve

 

Specification Liquid Air / Gas
Pressure range (min ΔP – max ΔP) 0–20 bar 0–4 bar
Flow 0.05 (m³/h)/√bar 0–30 l/min @ 1 bar
Control Proportional in closed loop Proportional in closed loop
Operating voltage 5–24 VDC 5–24 VDC
Communication and user interface Analog, PWM, RS-485, I2C, status LED Analog, PWM, RS-485, I2C, status LED

 

 Download the Smart HP Liquid valve datasheet  See full Smart HP Liquid valve details


Digimed valve


digimed medical gas valve

The Digimed valve is a dual-channel, 2-way, normally closed, full-separation SMA valve designed for the health care industry. Its two independent channels provide proportional control of liquid, air or gas.

 

Why choose it

 

  • All materials conform to ISO 10993
  • Two independent channels for liquid, air or gas
  • Proportional closed-loop control on board
  • Full-seal gasket for a perfect seal and high valve hygiene
  • Barbed ends for soft tubes

 

Specification Air / Gas Liquid
Pressure range (min ΔP – max ΔP) 0–4 bar 0–4 bar
Flow 0.23 (m³/h)/√bar 0.23 (m³/h)/√bar
Control Proportional in closed loop Proportional in closed loop
Operating voltage 5–24 VDC 5–24 VDC
Communication and user interface Analog, PWM, RS-485, I2C, status LED Analog, PWM, RS-485, I2C, status LED

 

 Request the Digimed datasheet  See full Digimed valve details


Digipinch Valve


digipinch memory form valve

The Digipinch valve is a pinch-type, normally closed shape memory alloy valve with on/off and proportional closed-loop control. The actuator regulates the force, and therefore the pressure, applied to the tube, so the valve never touches the liquid.

 

Why choose it

 

  • No contact with the liquid, for clean and sterile handling
  • Flow regulated by proportional control of the pressure on the tube
  • Proportional closed-loop control on board
  • Hardware interface for external sensors
  • Stability and accuracy over time

 

Specification Liquid
Pressure range (min ΔP – max ΔP) 0–2 bar
Flow Depends on the tube used
Control Proportional in closed loop
Operating voltage 5–24 VDC
Communication and user interface Analog, PWM, serial RS-485, I2C, status LED

 

 Request the Digipinch datasheet  See full Digipinch valve details


Digisense Shape Memory Alloy Valve 


digisense shape memory form valve

The Digisense valve is a dual-channel, 2-way, normally closed, full-separation valve for liquids. Each channel has its own temperature probe and flowmeter, so the valve works as an integrated digital feeder or mixer with no external components.

 

Why choose it

 

  • Integrated flowmeter and temperature probe on each channel
  • Accurate dosing of fluids with different viscosities
  • Mixing of two liquids with precise control of the outlet temperature
  • No external components needed for regulation or control
  • Full-seal gasket for a perfect seal and high valve hygiene

 

Specification Liquid
Pressure range (min ΔP – max ΔP) 0–8 bar
Flow 0.16 (m³/h)/√bar
Control Proportional in closed loop
Operating voltage 7.5–24 VDC or 24 VAC
Communication and user interface RS-485, status LED

 

 Request the Digisense datasheet  See full Digisense valve details


On/Off valve


on off medical gas valve

The On/Off valve is a 2-way, medium-separated, normally closed SMA valve for dispensing and mixing air and liquids, when your application needs reliable on/off switching rather than proportional control.

 

Why choose it

 

  • 10 times lighter than existing valves
  • Power consumption 20 times lower than existing valves
  • Reliable sealing system with medium separation
  • NSF/FDA material compliance
  • Patented design

 

Specification Liquid
Pressure range (min ΔP – max ΔP) 0.2–2 bar
Control On/off with end-of-stroke control
Operating voltage 5–24 VDC
Communication and user interface Analog, digital, status LED

 

 Download the On/Off valve datasheet  See full On/Off valve details


EAV Valve


eav digital shape valve

The EAV valve is a dual-channel, 2-way, normally closed, full-separation valve: channel 1 proportionally controls an air flow, channel 2 controls vapor or liquid.

 

Why choose it

 

  • Air and vapor or liquid managed by a single valve
  • Proportional closed-loop control on both channels
  • Air filter integrated in the valve structure
  • Two separate channels with quick-connect terminals
  • Hardware interface for external sensors

 

Specification Air / Gas
Pressure range (min ΔP – max ΔP) 0–2 bar
Flow (Kv) CH1 air; CH2 gas/steam
Control Proportional in closed loop
Operating voltage 5–24 VDC
Communication and user interface Analog, PWM, RS-485, I2C, status LED

 

 Download the EAV valve datasheet  See full EAV valve details


Antivacuum valve


antivacuum shape memory form valve

The antivacuum thermostatic valve restores atmospheric pressure inside a biphasic closed system and also acts as an air vent during the heating phase. Its shape memory alloy actuator reacts to temperature alone, with no further energy source.

 

Why choose it

 

  • No electrical power required
  • Can be installed in any position and orientation
  • High-temperature techno-polymer body for repeatability and reliability
  • Weighs only 12 g
  • Materials compliant with EC 1935/2004 and NSF 51

 

Specification Value
Steam/water mix temperature – valve closed (no leakage) > 99 °C / > 210 °F
Steam/water mix temperature – valve open (air flows in) < 95 °C / < 203 °F
Boiler pressure – valve closed (no leakage) 0.2 ± 0.1 bar / 2.9 ± 1.4 psi
Max boiler pressure 2.5 bar / 36 psi
Max temperature 140 °C / 284 °F
Nominal stroke 2.2 ± 0.2 mm
Threaded inlet G ¼ inch
Weight 12 g / 0.03 lb

 

 Download the antivacuum valve datasheet  See full antivacuum valve details


Mixing valve


mixing valve

The mixing valve for professional coffee machines blends hot water from the boiler with cold water from the mains to deliver water for infusions at the set temperature. A shape memory actuator adjusts the mixing ratio to compensate for changes in working conditions, with no power supply.

 

Why choose it

 

  • Passive temperature control, no power supply
  • Continuous setting of the mixed water temperature
  • Accuracy of ± 2 °C / 3.6 °F
  • No added complexity to the machine's hydraulic circuit
  • Materials compliant with EC 1935/2004 and NSF 51

 

Specification Value
Hot component temperature 110–135 °C / 230–275 °F
Cold component temperature 5–35 °C / 41–95 °F
Mixed water setting range 78–98 °C / 172–208 °F
Accuracy ± 2 °C / 3.6 °F
Cold component working pressure 1–9 bar / 14.5–130.5 psi
Threaded inlet/outlet G 1/8 inch
Weight 450 g / 0.99 lb

 

 Download the mixing valve datasheet

 

 See full mixing valve details  Find out more about our technology

What is a shape memory alloy valve?

A shape memory alloy valve is a valve whose opening and closing are driven by a shape memory alloy element instead of an electromagnetic coil. SMA stands for shape memory alloy: a metal, typically nickel-titanium (Nitinol), that returns to a pre-set shape when heated.

 

The effect comes from a change in crystal structure. At low temperature the alloy is in the martensite phase and can be deformed. When heated, it switches to the austenite phase and recovers its original shape, contracting with a force that can move a valve seal. Cooling returns it to martensite.

 

An SMA valve can be activated in two ways:

 

  • Electrically: a current heats the SMA wire. This is how our smart valves work, with the 32-bit microprocessor modulating the patented shape memory actuator for proportional control.
  • Thermally: the temperature of the fluid itself triggers the actuator, as in our antivacuum and mixing valves, which need no power supply.

 

SMA valve vs solenoid valve: what changes in your design

Replacing a solenoid with an SMA valve cuts power consumption by up to 20 times, eliminates switching noise and, on our smart valves, moves the control loop inside the valve. The difference starts with the actuator: a solenoid valve moves a plunger with an electromagnetic coil, while an SMA valve moves the seal with a shape memory alloy wire.

 

For OEMs and system integrators, an on-board control loop means fewer components in the bill of materials: no external PID controller or signal conditioner to select, wire and tune. The valve connects directly to pressure, flow or temperature sensors and closes the loop on the physical quantity you need to control. For a deeper engineering analysis, read our proportional valve vs solenoid valve comparison.

 

Dolphin Fluidics shape memory alloy valves advantages

Utilizing ultra-fine SMA wires ranging from 100 to 200 microns in diameter, Dolphin Fluidics’ valves operate without the mechanical components found in traditional systems, offering several advantages:

 

  • Compact and lightweight: The actuators are minimal and light.
  • Energy efficiency: Consuming less than 3W of power.
  • Silent operation: They operate silently, making them ideal for environments where noise is a concern.
  • Precision and control: Feedback-controlled actuation ensures precise fluid handling.

 

Applications across industries

Wherever an application needs precise dosing, mixing or dispensing in a compact, silent and low-power device, a shape memory alloy valve is a candidate. Our models are used in:

 

  • Health tech: precise dosing and dispensing in medical equipment, including valves for dialysis machines. Recommended: Digimed, Digipinch, Smart HP Liquid, On/Off.
  • Food and beverage: dosing, mixing and dispensing of liquids and gases, and temperature control in professional coffee machines. Recommended: Digisense, EAV, On/Off, mixing and antivacuum valves.
  • Agriculture: liquid dosing and dispensing. Recommended: Smart HP Liquid, Digisense, On/Off.
  • Industrial: dosing, mixing and process control in OEM equipment. Recommended: all models.

Find the right SMA valve for your system

Whether you need proportional dosing up to 20 bar, sterile flow control through a tube or passive temperature regulation, there is a Dolphin Fluidics SMA valve built for it, and every model can be customized in ports, connectors, pressure range, control algorithm and materials. Share your requirements and our engineers will help you select or adapt the right shape memory alloy valve for your application.

 

Want to know more about our shape memory alloy technology?

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