Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have challenged conventional wisdom by discovering hidden atomic patterns in metal alloys that persist during manufacturing.
According to the study, these subtle patterns can be tweaked to enhance the material's properties, including mechanical strength, durability, and radiation tolerance.
"This is the first paper showing these non-equilibrium states that are retained in the metal," says MIT materials scientist Rodrigo Freitas.
The discovery promises to open up new ways to control the properties of metals during manufacturing, with potential applications in various fields.
Author's summary: Researchers discover hidden atomic patterns in metals.