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Brown University Scientists Developed a Technique to Build Harder Metals

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JUSTIN MARTIN
Brown University Scientists Developed a Technique to Build Harder Metals

The introductory chemistry states that diamond is the hardest substance. Then, there was a series of facts that spoke about the difference between metals and non-metals. One of the primary differences used to state is the metals being harder due to their electron configuration. However, among the metals, sodium has proven its softness as it cuts even with a knife. To make sure that these metals can be handier, scientists have tried to go for several metal hardening techniques to make them stronger and more durable. Recently, scientists and researchers from Brown University have devised a new method to harden metals using nanoparticles. It can be a groundbreaking methodology in the domain of metallurgy. Let’s understand how they did, what this method means to humanity, etc.

About the Method

Scientists from Brown University discovered a method to mold the entire metallic structure, even at the granular level. The shaping of the metal from the micro-level helps to go for the bottom-up approach. This customization is different from that of the conventional metal hardening techniques. The scientists have published their research in the journal Chem. In this journal, they have described the metallic nano-clustering process to form solid macro-scale chunks. When tested, one of the fruitful observations was that the newly formed structures were four times harder than naturally occurring metal.

How scientists developed the method?

Researchers first tried to develop a coin-type structure in a centimeter-scale size. They did it by using metals like silver (scientific name: Argentum, chemical formula: Ag), gold (scientific name: Aurum, chemical formula: Au), palladium (Pd), and other metals. These metals are useful in metallic coating precisely. Hence, one can find their applications in making electrodes and thermoelectric generators. Next, scientists made the building blocks of the nanoparticles that were fusing together whenever squeezed. Due to this, they formed uniform grain sizes that got tuned to enhanced properties. According to scientists, using this technique, one can develop super-metallic coatings.

Tackling the Challenges

During the nano-clustering process, scientists found one challenge that was a significant limitation. It was the behavior of metals at the granular or grain-level. In the metals, there are organic molecules called ligands, that cover the other atoms and molecules. Hence, the ligands prevent the formation of any metallic (metal-to-metal) bond (that can give birth to the sea of free electrons) between particles. So, a major debate among the scientists was to eliminate these ligands present in the metallic nanoparticles, to proceed further. The solution to this issue was the chemical treatment given to the nanoparticle building blocks. Therefore, the scientists removed these ligands by allowing the clusters to make a fusion due to slight pressure given at the micro-level.

Issues with Conventional Techniques

The conventional metal hardening technique used hammering and other hardening techniques. All these are top-down approaches that try to alter the grain structures in the metals. However, the top-down approaches are not so helpful in changing this entire structure. Hence, it is not easy to control the grain structure and its size in the metals using these conventional metal hardening techniques. Apart from this, the scientists were unable to get a uniform grain structure and size. So, suppose the scientists wanted to use any specific metal for a dedicated purpose, including cutting process, aerospace, defense, etc. In that case, there is a need to customize these metals to be harder and cannot find breakage in its most challenging moments.

Inferences and Observations

The Brown University scientists believe that this nano-clustering methodology for metals can help humanity mold the metals according to the purposes, requirements, and applications. They have shown the formation of an exotic form of metal, metallic glass. These glasses are amorphous. Hence, there is a lack of crystalline structure present in these metals, unlike metals’ natural occurrence. Apart from this, in terms of hardness, the data sheets depict that these newly formed structures are almost two to four times harder than their natural ones. It is the nano-indentation measurements that have confirmed the superior mechanical hardness of the obtained materials. Hence, they are stronger and crack-resistant. In terms of conductivity, they were identical to the original and native designs. The type of pressure given to eliminate the ligands helped the scientists provide superconductivity properties to the molded metals.

Conclusion

The new method to harden the metals by working at the nanoparticles level has helped scientists attain better metallic properties. It will help in the domains, including cutting tools technology, metallic coating, electrodes. Hence, they are going to be vital in recent times, especially in the field of aerospace, space, and defense. However, it is currently at the research stage, and it may take a bit of time to see the commercialization of this method and see it as one of the significant industrial equipment. 

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