Researchers at the University of Sydney have developed a new microscopy method that uses atom probe tomography to observe atomic-scale changes in materials. This advancement enhances understanding of materials properties and could lead to stronger alloys for aerospace, more efficient semiconductors, and better magnets for motors.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have developed a new microscopy method using atom probe tomography to explore atomic-level changes in materials, promising significant advances in materials science and engineering.
A new microscopy technique enables researchers to observe minute changes in the atomic structure of crystalline materials, such as advanced steels used in shipbuilding and custom silicon for electronics. This method has the potential to enhance our understanding of the fundamental origins of material properties and behavior.
In a paper published in Nature Materials, researchers from the University of Sydney’s School of Aerospace, Mechanical, and Mechatronic Engineering introduced a new way to decode the atomic relationships within materials.
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.
Advanced Techniques in Atom Probe Tomography
The study, led by University of Sydney Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research Infrastructure) Professor Simon Ringer, 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 the development of innovative materials that could underpin a new generation of alloys and semiconductors.
SRO is sometimes likened to the ‘materials genome’, the arrangement or configuration of atoms within a crystal. This is significant because different local atomic arrangements influence the electronic, magnetic, mechanical, optical, and other properties of materials, which have a bearing on the safety and functionality of a range of products.
