Vortex Inc., a manufacturer of internal frame backpacks based in Salt Lake City, Utah, has developed a new stay it's dubbed, "Smart Stay." Made of polycarbonate, the new stays are 30 percent lighter and 85 percent stronger than standard aluminum stays according to company president, Bill Crawly. In addition, the Smart Stay is stiffer in certain areas and more flexible in others, to achieve the best torsional flex possible. Crawly says that Vortex will license the technology to other manufacturers.