Part 5/11:
While executing the experiment, Paul notes that the contraction process is quick, taking about a second. However, the cooling time—necessary for the Nitinol to return to its original shape—can take five to eight seconds. This disparity leads to issues: the Nitinol's ends are exposed to heat sinks, absorbing too much heat and slowing cooling, which disrupts the oscillation needed for continuous movement.
He observes that simultaneous heating and cooling of the Nitinol ends cause fighting forces, preventing the mechanism from functioning smoothly. This insight prompts him to consider alternative designs that could mitigate such timing issues.