Point #2 is also pretty cool. In order to prevent overcome problems of creep, the turbine blades can be made in a single crystal [1] [2]. This prevents much/all of the creep, as creep is associated with grain boundaries. It's pretty phenomenal that these single crystals can be manufactured into jet turbine blades.

[1] http://www.appropedia.org/Single_Crystal_Turbine_Blades

[2] http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6673308.html

*edit fixed links.