Elastic Iron for Surgeries…and Buildings

Reuters reports that researchers in Japan have designed a super-elastic iron alloy which they hope to use for sophisticated heart and brain surgeries and even buildings in earthquake zones. The iron alloy’s stress level is about twice that of nickel titanium. One of the researchers explained that the new material could allow earthquake-affected buildings to return to their original structure. Unfortunately, it sounds like an expensive resource for those who need it most, but its great progress for earthquake-resistant technology.