2024.08.22

New Sensation Material "HUMOFIT®" Becomes Flexible with Body Temperature and Expands and Contracts to Fit the Body

Copied to Clipboard

When you think of stretchable materials, you might imagine polyurethane fibers or PTT fibers. A new material that stretches with body temperature has emerged. This is "HUMOFIT®," a breakthrough innovation developed by "Mitsui Chemicals, Inc."

Upon detecting body temperature, this material becomes flexible, stretches when pulled, and slowly returns to its original shape due to its shape-memory property when released. How, then, is such a function useful in daily life?

This time, we spoke with Shigeo Nishikawa, Head of the Functional Film Business Development Office, Functional Materials Division at "Mitsui Fine Chemicals, Inc." to discuss the charm of the new material HUMOFIT®.

PROFILE

Shigeo Nishikawa

Shigeo Nishikawa joined Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. in 1992. He has been engaged in the development of foam sheet manufacturing technology and research and development of various resin-processed products. After working in sales and marketing of functional polymers and functional films, he has promoted various new product development projects such as piezoelectric films. He began developing HUMOFIT® in 2017 and is currently driving the HUMOFIT® business at Mitsui Fine Chemicals, Inc.

A Material No One Has Experienced Before

First, tell us about your business.

Mitsui Fine Chemicals, Inc. is a 100% subsidiary of Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., a comprehensive chemical manufacturer.

Our company was established in 1974 as a specialized chemical trading company within the Mitsui Chemicals Group, but now, in addition to our trading functions, we also have manufacturing functions and produce and sell our own products.