Modern steels- can they get any better?

[sjbraun]

I have a fondness for steel frames. Given the current state of steel tubesets, is there much left that can be improved? The ride characteristics of modern steel frames (when made by experienced builders,) are already pretty dialed in. Weights are competitive with all but the lightest carbon frames. (For example, my steel Breadwinner B-Road with identical components weighs the same as my carbon fiber Diverge.) Are there developments in metallurgy that will improve steel frames further or do my steel frames (including a Hampsten, a Pegoretti, a Breadwinner and two CoMotion tandems,) represent the pinnacle of steel frame design?