8 ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES | SEPTEMBER 2024 Sydney in New South Wales, a new microscopy method can decode atomic relationships within materials and could open possibilities for next- generation design. The new technique allows researchers to detect tiny changes in the atomic-level architecture of crystalline materials—like advanced steels for ship hulls and custom silicon for electronics. The breakthrough could assist in the development of stronger and lighter alloys for the aerospace industry, new generation semiconductors for electronics, and improved magnets for electric motors. It could also enable the creation of sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective products. The team harnessed the power of atom probe tomography (APT) to unlock the intricacies of short-range order (SRO). The SRO process is key to understanding the local atomic environments essential for development of innovative materials which could underpin a new generation of alloys and semiconductors. SRO is sometimes likened to the materials genome— the arrangement or configuration of TESTING | CHARACTERIZATION FRACTURE MECHANISM IN SOFT MATERIALS REVEALED Researchers led by a team at the Polytechnic University of Milan developed a new theory they say has finally deciphered the physical mechanisms of fracture in soft materials. The discovery could lead to new, defect-free materials that are more resistant and durable as well as environmentally friendly. This discovery stimulates significant applications in various technological sectors —for instance, in the production of micro and nanodevices, where materials need to be extremely resistant and defect-free. “We have revealed that fracture propagates from the free surface of the material, starting from an elastic instability that breaks the symmetry of the object,” explains researcher Pasquale Ciarletta. “Then, the rupture drastically extends with an intricate network of cracks spreading like a turbulence phenomenon similar to what we observe in fluids, like during vortex formation.” In the consumer electronics field, this could lead to the creation of devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops with screens that better withstand shocks and drops, thus reducing the frequency of repairs and replacements. In the medical sector, implantable devices like pacemakers and prostheses could benefit from safer and longer-lasting materials, critically improving patient health. In the aerospace industry, understanding and preventing material fractures can lead to more robust and reliable structures, reducing the risks associated with space and air travel. www.polimi.it/en. DECODING ATOMIC RELATIONSHIPS Developed by a research team at the University of Triangular holes make this material more likely to crack from left to right. Courtesy of N.R. Brodnik et al./Phys. Rev. Lett. Leica Microsystems Inc. recently celebrated its 175th anniversary. In 1849, Carl Kellner founded the Optical Institute in Wetzlar, Germany, making instruments with a new type of eyepiece that significantly reduced distortion. Ernst Leitz I soon took over the business, with several generations of the Leitz family making contributions for decades. Leica joined the Danaher Group in 2005. leica-microsystems.com. In June, Zeiss opened its new Innovation Center in Hsinchu Science Park, Taiwan. The facility offers a comprehensive equipment mix to meet the needs of semiconductor R&D, production, and failure analysis in Taiwan. zeiss.com. BRIEFS Simulated 2D atomic images from atom probe. Courtesy of University of Sydney. Depiction of surface instability showing the reference and actual configurations, while also detailing the nature of the boundary conditions. Courtesy of Physical Review Letters, 2024, DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.248202.
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