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1 0 A D V A N C E D M A T E R I A L S & P R O C E S S E S | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 7 “This method bridges the gap in understanding the relationship between atomic structure and material properties,” says associate professor Norimasa Ozaki. Movement in a mate- rial’s atomic structure under stress can now be observed in real-time, and an important material property—the stress required for fracture—can be determined. www.osaka-u.ac.jp/en. PROOF IS IN THE PIPES A study of lead service lines in Flint’s damaged drinking water system reveals a Swiss cheese pattern in the pipes’ interior crust, with holes where the lead used to be. The findings—led by researchers at the University of Mich- igan—support the generally accepted understanding that lead leached into the system because that water was not treated to prevent corrosion. While previous studies had pointed to this mechanism, this is the first direct evi- dence. It contradicts a regulator’s claim earlier this year that corrosion control chemicals would not have prevented the water crisis. Researchers say the TESTING | CHARACTERIZATION DIRECTLY OBSERVING DYNAMIC FRACTURE Until now, dynamic fracture of materials has only been observed using bulk-scale techniques, such as measuring fragment speeds. Dynamic fracture at the atomic scale could only be studied using computer simulations because the size range that could be observed in materials by experimental techniques was too narrow. Now, a new technique reported by an Osaka Uni- versity-led team can directly observe dynamic fracture in metals. Creaform Inc., Costa Mesa, Calif., a provider of portable 3D measure- ment solutions, will extend its expertise in nondestructive testing to the aerospace industry. The company aims to better enable airlines, as well as maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) service companies, to more efficiently perform evaluations of in-service aircraft safety, while cutting costs and preventing downtime. Creaform’s aerospace-specific surface inspection solution is set for release this month. creaform3D.com. BRIEFS MTS Systems Corp., Eden Prairie, Minn., has established its MTS India headquarters in Bangalore . This location, along with the Chennai office that opened in early 2016, will provide a stronger connection to customers in the region, say company sources. mts.com . Researchers use a laser pump and x-ray probe to detect movement such as stretching and compression in the atomic structure of tantalum under high stress. More specifically, the laser produces a shock in a thin piece of tan- talum and the x-ray probe measures the spacing of atoms in the opposite side. The technique is extremely sensitive to atoms near the surface, the ones most closely associated with surface dam- age. The measurements, carried out at the Spring-8 synchrotron complex in Japan, show a decrease in the spacing of tantalum atoms immediately before fracture. The team validates their observations by demonstrating a close match with computer simulations. Diagram of experimental setup and x-ray di raction pattern imaging. Courtesy of Osaka University. Inside a Flint lead service line. Courtesy of Terese Olson.