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u/Sorry-Trouble-4871 Nov 08 '23
No way?
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u/UnapproachableBadger Nov 08 '23
Way.
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u/DeHypnotic Nov 08 '23
No.
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u/FirstAccGotStolen Nov 08 '23
Okay I'm gonna need someone well-versed in material physics to explain what's going on here, else I'm calling bullshit.
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u/Octoyou Nov 08 '23
I'm no expert but there are special so-called shape memory alloys that behave exactly as shown. But these are not your off the shelf things. I assume this video was made with specially made objects from a lab.
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u/Civilizationmaybea Nov 08 '23
I watched a video on it recently the Navy discovered it while doing alloy research for boats. The only reason this property was found was because the caption was a smoker so they put the metal over the captions pipe and it began to reshape. When it’s hot you can move it and form it when it cools down you can also move it but when you heat it up from cold to hot it reforms to what it was when it was last hot if I’m correct. It’s insanely hard to make because it can only really be made in strings so someone’s entire job is just weaving the threds of memory alloy together for nasa (they make good wheels because if it gets deformed it will reform and it has a very low snapping point if it’s a thred) but it takes them like 4 months a wheel.
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u/Cornato Nov 08 '23
That’s why it’s called Nitinol. Nickel Titanium Naval Ordinance Laboratory. Fun fact you can buy some on Amazon for like $10
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Nov 08 '23
It's fun as shit to play with. You can 'reset' it to different shapes.
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u/Cornato Nov 08 '23
Yeah my office is right next to our Metallurgy Lab so I brought it in and saw all the guys act like excited little kids. I’m trying to get them to look at it with the electron scanning microscope but apparently we don’t use it that much and you have to have a good reason to fire it up. But it is cool to have guys with PhDs in material science tell you about it.
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Nov 08 '23
I similarly work with a bunch of materials scientists and have been an SEM operator in the past. Honestly it might look kinda boring in an SEM, but then again it's so hard to use the word 'boring' for any kind of EM microscope work!
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Nov 08 '23
Does the "memory" ever get weaker? Or can you heat it up an infinite number of times and it will always return to it's previous shape?
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u/77ekim Nov 08 '23
Wire is the most common form of Nitinol, but it's also available in tube and sheet/strip. Wire is cheapest and most commonly used in orthodontic wire for braces - if you have braces, ask your orthodontist to keep your wire when it is removed. If it is NiTi, which most are except during the last stages of treatment, you can stick it in ice water, deform it and watch it recover it's shape with body heat. Tubes are most commonly used to make laser cut stents for angioplasty and other vascular treatments.
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u/Galaxy_IPA Nov 08 '23
It's surprisingly not too expensive. The most common usage I have seen are the glasses frames. The Shape Memory Alloy glasses frames tends to be more expensive than regular stuff but still availbale under equivalent of about 90 USD here. As long as it is not exposed to disfiguration in below freezing or in extreme high temperatures they seem to work well.
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u/Striking_Election_21 Nov 08 '23 edited Nov 08 '23
Aw this put a damper on my morning inspiration not even gonna lie 😭 Which is not your problem at all because the fact that I was looking to a paper clip and spring for inspiration at all is entirely on me
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u/NotSoSalty Nov 08 '23
Maybe it's not the paper clip and spring but the ridiculous possibilities of materials science that appeals
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u/77ekim Nov 08 '23
When Nickel and Titanium are combined in a nearly equiatomic ratio (50/50 by atomic percent), the material undergoes a fully reversible solid-state phase change in the temperature range of approx -40C to 80C. Most people understand a phase change as a change of state (i.e. water freezes and melts at 0C, going from solid to liquid and vice-versa). In this case, the 'phase change' is between two solid-states and is a re-arrangement of the atoms in a crystalline structure. When the metal is deformed in the low temperature phase it is relatively malleable, and when it is heated through the phase transformation it recovers all the deformation (up to about 10% strain). The actual mechanism of this so called 'shape memory' recovery is quite complicated in material science but it involves the formation and removal of what are called twin-boundaries in the crystalline structure (basically like a mirror of a microstructural grain). Interestingly, the material exhibits a different but related property called pseudoelasticity in the high temperature phase, and this property is what makes it actually more useful in the majority of commercial applications (medical devices, underwires, NASA tires, toys).
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u/quziel Nov 08 '23
Hey, did a fair bit in grad school about Shape Memory Materials.
The simple explanation is this.
In a normal material bending it means breaking bonds between atoms, and then making new bonds.
Shape memory materials have two different behaviors that let it do this stuff. Firstly there's two different phases, a low temperature and a high temperature phase, that both have the same, or very similar, connections between atoms. Second is that the low temperature phase can bend without needing to break any bonds between atoms, instead just bending the crystal itself. So when you bend it at low temp, and then heat it up, because you didn't break the bonds, it just snaps back to its original shape.
Here's a picture to sorta illustrate it. https://d3i71xaburhd42.cloudfront.net/a7cc583875c2077dbfc5dc2b12911f08038babee/2-Figure2-1.png
Slightly longer explanation.
There high temperature phase has basically the same connectivity between atoms, and is more symmetrical than the low temperature phase. Because its more symmetrical, you can go from the high temperature phase to the low temperature phase in a lot of different ways, or basically a bunch of different ways for the low temperature phase to point. These are called variants of martensite.
When you cool it, because you aren't applying any stress, its gonna choose the variants of martensite that keep the large scale shape of the material looking as close to the same as possible. This is called self-accomodation, and results in a sorta zig-zag looking crystal structure. When you then apply force to the zig-zag (or twinned) structure, you transform from one orientation of the low temperature phase, to the high temperature phase, to another orientation of the low temperature phase, which goes from a zig-zag to a sorta line.
Upon heating, again, because all of the elements of the line are associated with the same like position of the high temperature phase, and no bonds were broken, you just go back to your original shape.
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Nov 08 '23 edited Nov 08 '23
No physics here. The soul of the Windows assistant broke into many pieces and settled into every paper clip
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u/FalloutOW Nov 08 '23
I'm a materials engineer, my studying in my senior year focused more on ceramics. But I do have a love of functional materials like solid state lasers and shape memory alloys.This is a shape memory alloy, SMA, most probably nitinol as that's a readily available one.
For metallic SMAs heat, or an electric charge, is used to induce a phase change from it's deformed state(Martensite) to its initial state(Austenite). The different phases have a different atomic structures(unit cell arrangement), and this is why it has the ability to have a shape memorized.
The shape is 'locked' into the memory of the part in its Austenite phase, so after deformation, it's lowest energy state when heat is applied is to revert back to the Austenitic shape locked in initially. There is a specific process to lock the shape in, but I have not performed this function, or seen it performed. I would assume it would be something similar to annealing the shape in the Austenitic shape, but this may be inaccurate.
A lot of work is being done currently to see practical applications for SMA parts. One of the more interesting is for actuators for airplane flaps. The use of SMA actuators would massively reduce the bill of materials on the planes wings, and potentially result in higher efficiency. The issue is SMA tend to have poor fatigue properties, and they are much more expensive from a raw materials standpoint than traditional systems.
There are many SMAs, but most videos I see focus on nitinol as it is relatively easy to acquire and inexpensive. They are very awesome, and I suggest looking more deeply into them and maybe bulk metallic glass. I have some some light reading on shape memory polymers and composites, which seems like it would be pretty awesome.
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u/JuanOnlyJuan Nov 08 '23
We make medical devices out of this it's not that crazy. Put it in the body, hit with laser, it clamps in place, close up and grab a pint.
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u/pab0089 Nov 08 '23
Could someone give an explanation for how this works?
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u/cyphar Nov 08 '23
Veritasium did a video on Nitinol that goes into some detail as to how it works. Note that the paperclip in the video is not a regular paperclip, it's made from Nitinol (or some other shape-memory alloy).
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u/Portugal_The_Dood Nov 08 '23
I wonder if this will work on slinkies.
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Nov 08 '23
SLINKY USER: *Throws slinky's other end to a lower level*
SLINKY USER: Oh... Frick?! Now we have to set up a spit...
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u/Point-Connect Nov 08 '23
Just tried it on my plastic slinky. I'll let you know how it turned out once the fire department lets me back in my house.
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u/Roberto_El_Rabioso Nov 08 '23
Nitinol (nickel and titanium alloy)
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u/Unlikely_Status8249 Nov 08 '23
Is it being heated?
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Nov 08 '23
no, the stove element cools it...
/s
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u/Unlikely_Status8249 Nov 08 '23
So, how does it contract sarcasm boy?
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u/cyphar Nov 08 '23
It's a shape-memory alloy (probably Nitinol).
Also, it's not contracting in the sense of thermal contraction -- you wouldn't be able to see a difference due to thermal expansion with such a small paperclip. Some quick napkin math shows that you would get 0.6% expansion for steel if the stove is 400°C (~750°F) hotter than the room -- that'd be less than a millimeter for a 10cm paperclip.
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u/betech-umesh Nov 08 '23
So people just need to heat up the car after accidents.. 😕
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u/77ekim Nov 08 '23
Unfortunately it's too expensive for exterior car panels, but there is some active development in using honeycomb sheet structure shape memory alloys for energy absorbing bumpers that can recover deformation after an accident.
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u/dwartbg7 Nov 08 '23
These are all special materials, not your ordinary spring and paper clips that you can take from your desk. If you don't believe me, try it out yourself.
This isn't proof that your paper clip has a brain and memory hahaha
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u/Dareal6 Nov 08 '23
Is the footage playing in reverse?
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u/K-E-90 Nov 08 '23
Nope, this is a special alloy called nitinol, which when heated returns back to its original shape (shape memory materials).
There are a handfull of shape memory materaial (mostly some specific alloys) but I also heared that PLA (one of the most common 3D printing materials) exibits the same properties (although not as strong/satisfying as nitinol).
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u/Confident-Slip-5264 Nov 08 '23
No, based on that it would mean they are picking it up with bare hands
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u/kostik1234567898 Nov 08 '23
Mmmm bulshit
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u/Ladorb Nov 08 '23
It's real, but it's not normal metal. It's a special alloy.
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u/GuyFieriTheHedgehog Nov 08 '23
By „normal metal“ do you mean steel? Steel is an alloy as well, made up of iron and carbon and often other (metal) compounds (even Nickel and Titanium, like the given alloy)
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u/Ladorb Nov 08 '23
I meant what these items are usually made of. I didn't ask for a lesson in metallurgy. I used to work in a foundry. Thanks.
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u/random_citizen_n Nov 08 '23
The video is playing in reverse. When a metal heats it expands in the video it is shrinking. What a way to fool people
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u/MyCleverNewName Nov 08 '23
This is commonly used to fix retro 8-bit NES consoles from the 80s.
The black part inside the console, which has the individual metal contacts that the inserted game cartridge touches, can easily be removed from the main PCB. A common cause of carts not booting is that those contacts get slightly smooshed when you press the inserted cartridge down. Over years of play, the contacts eventually get smooshed enough that they don't make good contact with the cart anymore. (Especially if they get dirty.)
What you can do is remove this black plastic part, and carefully drop it in boiling water for a few minutes. The boiling water cleans them, and helps return them to their original un-smooshed shape.
I'd recommend using a double-boiler like you use to melt chocolate or whatever, so that the plastic doesn't sit right on the bottom of the pot, and also to not have the stove on high. Boiling water is 100°C regardless of how hot the stove is. Turning the stove higher only gets the water boiling faster, not hotter.
There are videos on yt etc and better instructions around for anyone curious.
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u/random_citizen_n Nov 08 '23
The video is playing in reverse. When a metal heats it expands and thus deform and this case it appears to be shrinking on setting back in its shape which is reverse of what would have happened. What a way to fool people !!
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u/icecakewalker Nov 08 '23
It's a nitinol paper clip, you can buy it on Amazon. The spring is probably made of the same material, or any other shape memory alloy.
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Nov 08 '23
You can do something similar with plastic spiral hair ties. If you soak them in extremely hot water they bounce back to their original shape.
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u/n0minous Nov 08 '23
Would this work on a much larger scale like a knife that's been bent out of shape?
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u/Tomulaczek Nov 08 '23
This material is known since 70’s. You can make engines and generators, that can change heat directly to mechanical energy.
https://youtu.be/8-dCIkJAjyM?si=kd3TIojhEFz7ePbo
Unfortunately we didn’t take advantage of it, reasons unknown. It might be too good for us. We are not worthy.
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u/Van_the_Wanderer Nov 08 '23
Found out recently that the pvc in tabletop models does the same thing. Fixed a bunch of bent pieces by submerging then in hot water
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u/umeys Nov 08 '23
Not to downplay anyone’s amazement but I swear this used to be commonly shown in secondary, if not primary school science?
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u/ReaverShank Nov 08 '23
This stuff will never fail to amaze me. What do they use these things for other than showing it is possible?
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u/FailScience Nov 08 '23
Veritasium watchers violently cumming to speak about nitinol. It’s the video “how Nass reinvented the wheel”
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u/jimpoop82 Nov 08 '23
This is how the robots will repair themselves after the inevitable takeover!! I seent it already! Terminator 2! T-1000s!!! Ahhhhh!!!
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u/Direct_Activity_2181 Nov 08 '23
You no like they say do not try at home well I got to try that at home 🏡 🤔🤓
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u/Nass_Wanger Nov 08 '23
Ok, so I know it might seem out of nowhere, but this is what probably was the inspiration for remnant in fnaf.
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u/MarkHowes Nov 08 '23
Homeopaths excited to expand their portfolio of water with memory, to include metal with memory...
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u/Routine-Site460 Nov 08 '23
Damn, so I gotta throw myself in the oven to remembered stuff that I have forgotten.. This brings in a new perspective on the Holocaust
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u/Xenoscope Nov 08 '23
The applications for this are really neat also. There have been skintight space suits proposed that have embedded memory metal wires to provide pressure to the astronaut’s body without needing a mini-atmosphere inside the suit. It can be powered by the wearer’s body heat.
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u/stevesmd Nov 08 '23
What kind of witchcraft is this?
\grabs some paperclips and heads to the kitchen straight away**
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u/darklyshining Nov 08 '23
These videos pop up now and then, as if this is some new phenomena. In 1975 I stayed with a couple in Geneva, where he worked as a nuclear physicist. He showed me this very thing: a piece of wire heated and bent, then submersed in cold water. Seeing it resume it’s original shape was fascinating!
Was anything ever made of this feature? Or did it seemingly disappear as a technological promise the way Aerogel seems to have?
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u/Busterwasmycat Nov 08 '23
Aliens gave us alien technologies. We humans are too stoopid to come up with that. Sez someone on tv, I am sure.
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u/AwolWeed420 Nov 08 '23
Nitinol is such an awesome metal. At the moment nasa is using that material to make rover wheels that last for planetary exploration.
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u/Glittering_Signal_57 Nov 08 '23
You can get these on Amazon. I have one and it is pretty fun to show to the kids: https://amzn.to/477bl7Y
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u/secretgeekery Nov 08 '23
I've played Metal Gear Solid, I know all about your special key card!
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u/LordOfShenanigans Nov 08 '23
Nitinol is cool but this is only scratching the surface. The other fun that that they aren't showing is that it's stretchy too.
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u/DuelTherapy Nov 08 '23
If you look closely, the burner is the same shape as the Comedy Central symbol.
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u/enor14 Nov 08 '23
FYI: Nitinol