Scientists have discovered that new metal crystals can infinitely transform their atomic forms

This metal crystal is called "martensite" and it has two different atomic arrangements and is able to seamlessly switch between the two. When heated or cooled, it can change shape thousands of times without degradation. This metal material is a new member of the Smart Materials family and their applications include space vehicles, the electronics industry, and jet engines. This material is currently an alloy of nickel and titanium.

When this new metal crystal is in transition, it forms a microscopic level of river-like morphology on the surface.

They possess the remarkable ability of "memory shapes", and even if they are bent, they will return to their original form. Therefore, they are called "shape memory" metals. They have been used in spectacles frames and underwear lines, as a framework for bone treatment in surgery, and as a "bracket" to maintain the smoothness of the heart artery.

When such materials are heated and cooled to a certain temperature, the atoms that make up their structure will suddenly rearrange, and this material will change shape. Some people call this change a "military transformation," because the atoms that make up the crystals are organized into new shapes.

This shift means that it can be used in intelligent mechanical systems that react to temperature changes. The disadvantage of current martensites materials is that after repeated deformations, their internal pressures will increase leading to eventual decomposition. This new material can change almost indefinitely back and forth, and it generates few internal damages, which also opens up new fields for the application of this type of new material.

When this material is circulated in different atomic arrangements, you can observe a changing pattern on its surface that looks like a microscopic river. Professor Richard James, one of the authors of the study, explained: “The real advantage of this new material is that in many cases it is possible to reverse the transformation. You can make devices that directly convert heat into electrical current. They can use computers and mobile phones. Waste heat to charge the batteries and make them more efficient."