A Crystal That Can Remember Its Past

                          (Researchers figure out how to cheaply grow large shape memory alloy crystals.)

Scientists from Japan have found an easier way to make a special kind of crystal that can "remember" its shape if deformed. These materials -- known as shape memory alloys -- are valuable in a range of applications from medical devices to building construction, but manufacturing them can be difficult and costly

You can bend and twist a rod made of shape memory alloy (within reason), and then restore it to its original shape simply by warming it up. These materials also often possess exceptional elasticity, making them ideal for applications that demand flexibility and durability such as flexible eyeglasses frames or prosthetic limbs. But just like with many miracle materials, there's a catch. Shape memory alloys work best when they are grown as single crystals

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