Tag: transmission electron microscopy

One-grain-at-a-time: how in situ EBSD rewrote sink-strength theory for space aluminium

~ Matheus A. Tunes ~ Leave a comment

Ultrafine-grained (UFG) aluminium alloys are strong candidates for space structures: their dense grain-boundary network acts as sinks that absorb radiation-induced defects (more in our perspective review https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmaterialsau.5c00139). But that advantage only survives if the microstructure does — and in Low-Earth Orbit, sunlit components reach ~200 °C, right where severely deformed aluminium begins to recrystallise. The … Continue reading One-grain-at-a-time: how in situ EBSD rewrote sink-strength theory for space aluminium

Rethinking copper metallurgy for the future of fusion reactors

~ Matheus A. Tunes ~ 2 Comments

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

Battery waste is worth billions!

~ Matheus A. Tunes ~ 1 Comment

As the world accelerates its transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy, the pressure to recycle lithium-ion batteries efficiently has never been greater. At the heart of most recycling processes sits a fine black powder called black mass — a mixture of cathode and anode materials, binder residues, and metallic fragments recovered from spent batteries. … Continue reading Battery waste is worth billions!

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

~ Matheus A. Tunes ~ Leave a comment

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

Farewell to Professor Peter Hirsch — A Giant in Metallurgy and a Gentle Soul

~ Matheus A. Tunes ~ Leave a comment

The passing of Sir Peter Hirsch on September 12th 2025, marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in the story of metallurgy and materials science. Professor Hirsch, who escaped Nazi Germany as a child through the Kindertransport, went on to redefine how we see the inner world of metals. His pioneering use of transmission electron … Continue reading Farewell to Professor Peter Hirsch — A Giant in Metallurgy and a Gentle Soul

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

~ Matheus A. Tunes ~ Leave a comment

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?

Unveiling the Science of Nanometallurgy

~ Matheus A. Tunes ~ Leave a comment

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