FT reported a team of scientists in Japan have created a tougher form of steel that will not splinter or crack at low temperatures. The improved material has an elongated ultra fine grain structure combining it with a technique to discourage breakage.

The researchers report said that the material's strength and durability improves as the temperature drops. It said that making steel that can be useful at low temperatures usually requires adding a number of other elements, which can raise the cost substantially. The scientists, however, developed a form of relatively pure steel that has an extended grain configuration to discourage cracks, which would need to move around these rice-shaped grains to spread.

This new steel could be used to make stronger machines, upgrade transport systems and build better city infrastructure.