Department of Physics and Astronomy

Nickel titanium also known as nitinol (derived from its composition and its place of discovery: [Nickel Titanium-Naval Ordnance Laboratory]) is a metal alloy of nickel and titanium, where the two elements are present in roughly equal atomic percentages. The alloy exhibits two closely related and unique properties: shape memory and superelasticity (also called pseudoelasticity). Bend and twist the small wire, and it will not kink or exhibit any significant deformation.