91É«ÇéƬ

Ballpoint maker Bic plans to develop pens that mould ergonomically to the
writer’s fingers (WO 00/32715). The same idea can be used with power tools,
sports equipment and razors. The pen stem or tool handle is covered with a
flexible sleeve that contains a carefully chosen mix of thermoreversible
gel—which thickens at low temperatures—and a silica filler. When the
sleeve is held, body heat softens the gel so that the grip shapes to the
individual’s hands. When the grip is released, it cools and returns to its
original shape.