Rethinking copper metallurgy for the future of fusion reactors

We are delighted to share a new preprint that takes on one of fusion energy's most stubborn materials problems: building a heat sink that can survive inside a reactor. Commercial fusion demands components that withstand intense neutron bombardment while extracting punishing heat loads for conversion to electricity, and CuCrZr — a copper alloy strengthened by … Continue reading Rethinking copper metallurgy for the future of fusion reactors

A new way to “see” inside aluminium alloys

What if a single microscope image could simultaneously show nanoclusters, dislocations, grain boundaries, and corrosion pores – all in under a minute? We have found a way to do exactly that and we described recently in a paper published it in Small Methods! The method, called differential phase contrast (DPC), is not new to electron … Continue reading A new way to “see” inside aluminium alloys

New Preprint: Unlocking Nanoscale Detail in Aluminium Alloys with DPC Segmentation

We are pleased to share our latest preprint, now available on arXiv: Unlocking nanoscale microstructural detail in aluminium alloys through differential phase contrast segmentation in STEM (arXiv:2603.11643). In this work, we show how differential phase contrast (DPC) imaging in scanning transmission electron microscopy can be turned into a powerful, quantitative tool for characterising the microstructures … Continue reading New Preprint: Unlocking Nanoscale Detail in Aluminium Alloys with DPC Segmentation

Pushing the Limits of Aluminium Crossover Alloys

Dr. mont. Patrick Willenshofer’s recent publication, “Influence of alloy chemistry and overaging on mechanical properties and corrosion resistance in aluminium crossover alloys”, is a remarkable contribution to the rapidly evolving field of advanced aluminium alloy development. This paper investigates the nuanced interplay between alloying elements and thermal history in novel AlMgZn-based crossover alloys enriched with copper … Continue reading Pushing the Limits of Aluminium Crossover Alloys

A great scientific debate: Are clusters or Guinier-Preston zones responsible for strengthening an Al-Cu-Mg alloy?

Feature image credits: https://www.scienceisweird.com/arguing-comics Science thrives on debate, and the historic clash between Ringer et al. and Zahra et al. over the role of solute clustering in Al-Cu-Mg alloys is a perfect example of how scientific disputes drive progress. In this case, one side argued that Cu-Mg clusters were a distinct strengthening mechanism, while the … Continue reading A great scientific debate: Are clusters or Guinier-Preston zones responsible for strengthening an Al-Cu-Mg alloy?

[X-MAT]’s Master Thesis of Sandra Gonzaga is now online!

Exploring Alloys in the Al-Mg-Si System for Space Applications The Master Thesis of our postgraduate researcher Ms. Sandra Gonzaga is now online and available for download at: https://pureadmin.unileoben.ac.at/portal/en/publications/development-and-characterisation-of-an-ultrafinegrained-almgsi-alloy-for-space-applications(5be5ba38-321f-47bf-99e5-4f72ccebef4e).html?customType=theses In the race to conquer the cosmos, materials science plays a pivotal role in enabling the development of spacecraft and satellites capable of withstanding the harsh realities … Continue reading [X-MAT]’s Master Thesis of Sandra Gonzaga is now online!