A significant study from our research team, titled "Unravelling Nanometallurgy with In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy: A Case Study with Copper Nanowires," was recently published in Nano Today. Led by Diego Coradini, our former PhD student, the research delves into the behavior of copper nanowires under extreme heating conditions within a transmission electron microscope. By … Continue reading Unveiling the Science of Nanometallurgy
We are excited to share findings from our latest research on the potential use of MAX phases in nuclear reactors. MAX phases, known for their hexagonal-compact nanolayered crystal structure, high machinability, and chemical inertness, have long been considered promising materials for nuclear applications. However, our new paper sheds light on crucial aspects that must be … Continue reading Exploring the Stability of Ti-based MAX Phases in Extreme Nuclear Environments
It is good to see that scientists are working hard to better evaluate the effect of He bubbles in metals and alloys! Sharing a very interesting new article showing unequivocally the influence of He bubbles in the strengthening behavior of Copper! By using shock loading, Lear et al. discovered that He bubbles totally collapse, leaving … Continue reading The influence of He bubble in strengthening of Copper
In this very interesting new field of research on refractory amorphous high entropy alloys (RAHEA), we present a case where two different RAHEAs have been synthesized and tested under extreme environments: the WTaCrV and WTaCrVHf. We discuss the parameters that may guide the design and application of these interesting alloys in future nuclear reactors and … Continue reading Amorphous and Refractory High Entropy Alloys
We investigate the radiation response of a hard refractory high entropy carbide (HEC): the (CrNbTaTiW)C. Comparison with the high entropy alloy (HEA) has shown the HEC outperforms the HEA under irradiation. Results suggest high-entropy ceramics can be alternative to HEAs in extreme environments. Available now at Acta Materialia (open access)! Do not forget to see … Continue reading Novel high entropy ceramics for extreme environments
Can Ti-based MAX phases -- this new class of potential functional materials -- be applied in future nuclear reactors? We investigated the response of Ti-based MAX phases to both neutrons and heavy ions. The discoveries of this intense decade-long research has just been published at Materials Today Energy. Open access article access here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtener.2022.101186
We continue in our saga aiming at finding better radiation-resistant materials for applications in the extreme environment of the solar system. I am delighted to introduce you our new paper that was led by Patrick Willenshofer (another genius from Montanuniversitaet Leoben). In this paper, we introduce a revolutionary nanocrystalline crossover aluminium alloy that scored the … Continue reading Nanocrystalline lightweight alloys for space exploration
With great pleasure I would like to share our most recent paper, which just got published at the Journal of Materials Science, edited by Professor C. Barry Carter. In this new article, we present an innovative methodology to rethink the way we investigate radiation effects in materials science: by using the Plasma Focused Ion Beam … Continue reading Rethinking Radiation Effects in Solids
A great paper and research led by my friend Oscar M. Prada Ramirez recently shows that the corrosion resistance of aerospace grade Al-based alloys can be significantly improved using Ce-nanoparticles in an anodization treatment using tartaric-sulfuric acid environments! The aluminium alloy series 2xxx with its anodic layer filled with Ce nanoparticles! A pathway to reduce … Continue reading Further improving the corrosion resistance of Al-based alloys for aerospace applications with Cr-free treatments
The Parker Solar Probe just encountered an intense energetic particle radiation stream on its way to the Sun. A beautiful video from NASA! Particle irradiation emitted by the Sun's and its effects on functional metallic alloys it is one of our most important research fields nowadays. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQXNqhQzBLM
Materials at Extremes 