For all of you metallurgists out there, a new nanotechnology approach to fabrication with metals that’s being placed in operation now could have far-reaching implications:
An inexpensive new process can increase the strength of metals such as steel by as much as 10 times, and make them much more resistant to corrosion. If the modified metals pass field testing, the new process could go on to make bridges and other infrastructure last far longer; it could also make cars lighter and therefore more fuel-efficient.
The Seattle-based startup that developed the process, Modumetal, is commercializing it in part with collaboration with the oil companies Chevron, Conoco-Philips, and Hess.
Parts made using the technology are being tested in oil fields now. Some oil contains highly corrosive chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide that quickly damage production equipment. The new technology could make those parts last much longer and thus lower the cost of pursuing unconventional sources of oil. That could be just the first of a wide range of applications.
Basically, the approach is that a metal part is placed in a chemical bath that contains ions of multiple different metals. Then the current that’s applied is varied to create a designed, layered structure.
This is really sexy stuff, folks. It means that things could be made with a lot less actual metal or with controlled and very interesting properties. Not only could that make them lighter and possibly less expensive but, depending on the metals used and the structure that’s created, they could be corrosion-resistant and significantly stronger. Think of the aircraft, land and ocean-going vehicles, and buildings that could be built. Think of the tanks or weaponry. Lots of possibilities here.
Hat tip: Instapundit
There is your ROI on IT investment.
This is really sexy stuff, folks.
Absolutely! Materials science is where I would expect the big tech breakthroughs which lead to the big bumps in GDP. The Holy Grail is “room temperature” superconductors, but they’re probably no more likely than fusion power in my lifetime.
It is actually pretty cool.
Just some housekeeping. For standard commercial applications we are talking surfaces not cross sections: corrosion protection, wear protection and defenses against fatigue failure. So it’s not really strength. Bridges will still need I-beams.
For armor, that’s got to be ultra-expensive where there is not just a light surface treatment but a very thick outer layer designed to absorb energy before a projectile gets to the tough substrate. Perhaps even a way to avoid crystallinity?
Interestingly, the physics of it isn’t new (imagine that). It’s a process improvement that I’d like to know more about. They may have figured out how to deal with electric field issues at corners of parts and the like.
In any event, it brings composite (best of all worlds) technology to a class of engineering materials not previously addressable. So for example, surface hardening (fatigue failure management) could be accomplished not by peening or nitriding technologies, but by a super hard outer layers to carry load, a soft crack arresting material for the cracks that do eventually form, all encasing the traditional structural member. Cycles to failure could triple. You could make a lot of money with that.
Similarly, layers of optimized and customized corrosion resistant material could be applied, all encapsulating cheaper steels instead of using stainless steel throughout.
Is it change the world stuff like electrification. Probably not. But it shouldn’t be discounted if it can be adapted to large and mass produced parts. You are talking initial part savings of 2-3x and useful life increases of a similar magnitude. That’s serious money.
If I’m an electrical utility I’m happy. Of course, the environmental crowd could be a problem. Plating ops ain’t the cleanest.
This technology and company are worth watching. Thanks, Dave.
You’ve correctly deduced that I was thinking of you when I wrote this post, Guarneri.
That’s a good, succinct description of the potential.
I thought I’d take a wild flyer at “all of you metallurgists out there.” There must be dozens out there reading this site………..or not.
Seriously, my focus in my MS was fracture mechanics, and I worked in an industry where harsh environments were all around you. Contra ice, the applications I can think of with just those two issues are enormous. That’s before smart people get to work finding novel applications. The market need is there.
One must always caveat these things, though, and note that it’s a long way from test site commercialization to small scale commercialization to large scale commercialization commensurate with the market need. A long way. But just intuitively, this one could have legs.
Came across a biomedical article Dave, thought it might interest you.
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/feb/18/haruko-obokata-stap-cells-controversy-scientists-lie
It’s an interesting article but in some ways superficial, possibly in an attempt at sensitivity. The author should have followed up on the issue of how culture affects scientific research, whether culture within a discipline or in the society at large.