Shape Memory Alloy demonstration

Let's start the year off with a little art.

Because the video is so short, I'll simply copy the description from YouTube,

Shape memory alloys are materials that are able to 'remember' their shape under different conditions. Here we show an example where the petals of the flower are made from a shape memory alloy that have been conditioned to a shape representing closed petals at room temperature and an open petal shape at higher temperatures, achieved using a hot air blower. The flower can then be made to open and close by heating and cooling. Whilst this is an interesting example of how shape memory alloys can be used in art, they can also be used in a range of engineering applications from medical devices to automotive valves.

For more information on studying metallurgy and materials science at the University of Birmingham, please go to: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/metallurgy-materials/index.aspx