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nitinol

American  
[nit-n-awl, -ol] / ˈnɪt nˌɔl, -ˌɒl /

noun

  1. a paramagnetic alloy of nickel and titanium that, after heating and deformation, resumes its original shape when reheated.


Etymology

Origin of nitinol

1965–70; ni(ckel) + ti(tanium) + N(aval) O(rdnance) L(aboratory) , Silver Spring, Maryland, where the alloy was developed

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

After Rory was referred to GOSH, medics thought he may benefit from the new nitinol springs, instead of the traditional steel springs, because his case was severe.

From BBC Sep. 8, 2026

To transport heat, the researchers use the special 'superpower' of the artificial muscles made of nitinol: shape memory.

From Science Daily Apr. 2, 2024

The family affinity is also expressed in the use of the same nitinol headband and the same cable connectors across all four models.

From The Verge Jul. 30, 2018

“Skorpions,” for example, involves a padded garment threaded with nitinol wires; when a performer wears the garment, electrical currents pulse through the wires to make them contract, making the dress writhe like a sentient creature.

From The New Yorker Jul. 27, 2015

The NanoMuscle, which costs less than $1 to make, qualifies as nanotech, the company says, because of the size of its nitinol crystals, not the wire or motion.

From Time Magazine Archive

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