Special titanium alloy lets implants fight off bacterial infections

While titanium implants such as artificial hips can greatly improve patients’ lives, they’re also subject to serious bacterial infections. An experimental new antibacterial titanium alloy, however, could make such problems a thing of the past.Continue … Continue reading Special titanium alloy lets implants fight off bacterial infections

Novel nanoribbons could improve battery & solar cell efficiency

Researchers have created a new family of nanomaterials by alloying phosphorus with arsenic to create single-atom-thick ribbons that are highly conductive, making them ideal candidates for use in next-generation batteries, solar cells and quantum comput… Continue reading Novel nanoribbons could improve battery & solar cell efficiency

New treatment makes steel alloys both stronger and more flexible

Strength and flexibility are two opposites that usually need to be balanced in steel. But now engineers at Purdue University and Sandia National Labs have developed a new treatment that can be applied to steel alloys to make them both stronger and more… Continue reading New treatment makes steel alloys both stronger and more flexible

Heat-loving lightweight superalloy promises higher turbine efficiency

One factor limiting the output of today’s power stations is the metals used in the blades, bearings and seals of their steam turbines, which tend to soften and elongate well before their melting point. Solve these problems, and you could conceivably ra… Continue reading Heat-loving lightweight superalloy promises higher turbine efficiency

Tiny metal snowflakes demonstrate new nanoscale manufacturing methods

Researchers in New Zealand and Australia have grown tiny metal snowflakes, cubes, rods and other shapes. The nanocrystals form like snow out of a liquid metal, demonstrated an intriguing new potential method for manufacturing nanoscale structures.Conti… Continue reading Tiny metal snowflakes demonstrate new nanoscale manufacturing methods

Simple alloy claims crown of toughest material ever recorded

A simple alloy has claimed the crown for toughest material ever recorded. In a new study, a team led by researchers at Berkeley Lab ran the alloy through a series of tests and discovered not only its incredible toughness, but high strength and ductilit… Continue reading Simple alloy claims crown of toughest material ever recorded

Novel alloy boasts unparalleled elasticity at room temperature

While most metals feature some degree of elasticity, some respond better than others to being bent out of shape. Scientists experimenting with the makeup of these materials have developed a novel, copper-based alloy they say would be simple to produce … Continue reading Novel alloy boasts unparalleled elasticity at room temperature

New titanium alloy has highest specific strength of any 3D-printed metal

Engineers at Monash University have developed a new 3D-printable titanium alloy with a unique microstructure that makes it ultra-strong. Not only is it stronger than most other forms of titanium, but it has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any 3… Continue reading New titanium alloy has highest specific strength of any 3D-printed metal

3D-printable 5-metal alloy proves ultra-strong but ductile

With new manufacturing techniques comes the opportunity for brand new metal alloys with a huge range of possible properties. A team of researchers has now developed a new 3D-printable alloy with a specific nanostructure that makes it ultra strong and d… Continue reading 3D-printable 5-metal alloy proves ultra-strong but ductile