The entropy of mixing is a huge driving force that, when properly channeled, can do a lot of mechanical work. In this paper we observed how the interdiffusion in a Ni-Pt bilayer leads to high mechanical stresses, which in turn generate and move dislocations. This culminates in complete “re-shuffling” of the film microstructure in the process known as recrystallization. This phenomenon provides a useful tool to manipulate the shape and orientation of metal nanoparticles obtained at the final stages of dewetting.

We did it again! Our fruitful collaboration with Prof. Yuri Mishin from George Mason University (USA) has yielded another publication in Nature Communications. In this work we demonstrated that alloying Ni nanoparticles with Co decreases their strength. This is contrary to what is known on mechanical properties of bulk alloys.

The paper summarizing Yoni’s studies of mechanical properties of Pt nanoparticles has been published in the Journal of Materials Science. Yoni has shown that the shape of the particles is as important as their size in determining their ultimate strength.

Finally! After several months of COVID-rules related delay, Dr. Srijan Acharya has joined our team. Srijan will work on a project related to structure and properties of grain boundaries in TWIP steels.