Ultralow-fatigue shape memory alloy films

TLDR

Shape memory alloys can return to their original shape after deformation, but most cannot endure many cycles, limiting their use in applications such as refrigerators and artificial heart valves. The authors discovered an alloy that withstands 10 million deformation cycles with minimal fatigue. Chluba et al., *Science*, this issue p.

Abstract

Memory alloys that avoid exhaustion Shape memory alloys can pop back into shape after being deformed. However, often these alloys cannot cope with a large number of deformation cycles. Chluba et al. find an alloy that avoids this pitfall, deforming 10 million times with very little fatigue (see the Perspective by James). Such low-fatigue materials could be useful in a plethora of future applications ranging from refrigerators to artificial heart valves. Science , this issue p. 1004 ; see also p. 968