Researchers have engineered a cobalt-nickel-vanadium alloy that stays tough even at –186°C, resisting the brittleness that plagues most metals in extreme cold. Using atomic-scale design, the team created dual structural patterns inside the alloy that block cracks and preserve ductility. In lab tests, the metal absorbed far more strain than conventional steels.Researchers have engineered a cobalt-nickel-vanadium alloy that stays tough even at –186°C, resisting the brittleness that plagues most metals in extreme cold. Using atomic-scale design, the team created dual structural patterns inside the alloy that block cracks and preserve ductility. In lab tests, the metal absorbed far more strain than conventional steels.