Introduction The engineers working for the aerospace industry are always searching for new materials that can help them solve the problems faced by astronauts. Extreme temperatures outside the Earth’s atmosphere make it difficult for astronauts to live in outer space. Aside from difficulties created by extreme temperatures, aerospace engineers are also looking for ways to cram equipment and other important materials into a small spacecraft. Thus, there is a need for versatile materials. Shape Memory Alloys (“SMA”) satisfies the requirements of the aerospace industry because of its shape memory effect. How It Works In order to understand the shape memory effect, it is important to review the principles of elasticity and plasticity. Consider for instance a solid object, such as a matchstick. A matchstick has a tendency to stay in shape unless an outside force is introduced that will cause it to break. One can expect this type of behavior, because a matchstick is an example of a solid material. On the other hand, a rubberized object, such as a dog’s chewy toy is also an example of a solid material. However, it is possible to stretch or squeeze the said rubbery material because of the principle of elasticity. Solid materials that are made of plastic exhibit a property called plasticity. In other words, if one introduces an outside force strong enough to bend the plastic into a different shape, the object stays in that new shape even after the bending force was no longer applied to the said object. The matchstick and the rubber toy have no memory of their shape (Lin 1). Shape memory alloys are different because the object reverts back to its original shape in response to heat or electromagnetic fields (Lin 1). Design and Examples The primary requirement is a special type of alloy, such as: nickel-titanium and iron-manganese-silicon alloys (Popovic 67). Nevertheless, it is important to point out that the three main types of shape memory alloys are: 1) copper-zinc-aluminum-nickel; 2) copper-aluminum-nickel; and 3) nickel-titanium alloys (Popovic 67). It is possible to demonstrate the shape memory effect of an SMA because it can change its structure while remaining solid (Popovic 67). In contrast to most objects found in nature, it is impossible to change shape without changing its phase. For example, the transformation of ice cubes into potable water requires the change of phase. In the case of an SMA, it is possible to go through a radical change in shape while remaining in a solid state. The ability to transition from one structure to the next while remaining solid is made possible by the ability to change phase in response to heat or electromagnetic fields, because shape memory alloys have a high temperature phase called the austenite and a low-temperature phase called the martensite (Woodford 1). Experts in crystal physics made clarifying remarks that the structural changes occur at the atomic level (Woodford 1). These changes are imperceptible to the naked eye. In order to develop materials and designs that are beneficial to the aerospace industry, engineers must determine the “parent shape” of the material. Once the “parent shape” had been identified, it is imperative to hold th