This nickel/titanium (NiTi) alloy initially 'remembers' that it should be straight
If it is bent into a different shape and then dropped in very hot water (90℃), it springs back to its original straight condition
It will repeat this behaviour any number of times
The wire can also be heat treated to remember different shapes
It simply has to be held in the desired shape and then heated to 500℃ in a small oven for a few minutes
This means that pupils can now get involved in creating smart springs and other components that a few years ago would have challenged front line researchers
