Physics

Shape memory

We're accustomed to materials either being elastic, like rubber, or non-elastic, like aluminum. What we're less familiar with, however, is that there are special materials that have both of these properties! With the "Shape memory" set by MEL Science, you will learn about and experiment with one of these astonishing materials, Nitinol, and build your own crane based on the unusual properties of this material.

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You will build:

Nitinol crane
Setup to heat nitinol with electricity

You will learn:

Explore the properties of Nitinol
How to make Nitinol objects elastic or non-elastic
Observe the difference between Nitinol and regular paper clips
Create a Nitinol crane

What's inside the "Shape memory" set?

Everything you need to complete the project successfully.

Experiments

What’s a MEL Science subscription?

100+ hands-on science projects

giving you new ways to bond with your kids.

50+ unique digital experiences

making your kids’ screen-time more worthwhile.

One subscription

Hands-on projects delivered monthly to your home, plus digital experiences available anytime.

From $29.90/month.

Pause or cancel at any point.

Loved by parents

Cynthia Marion Mixon

"The fact that it is very interactive, and encourages abstract thought and the discipline of method and observation. It is also A LOT OF FUN! Even for the parent. My kids want to go into scientific fields as a result!"

Keith Churchill

"Experiments are well laid out with enough material to do the experiments again if you like. They’re a fun way to introduce kids to science and it will do them well when they start science at school."