Objective "This GF proposal concerns nano-crystalline (NC) metallic alloys, unique materials having extremely small crystals (grains) which exhibit significantly improved mechanical properties over their conventional coarse-grained counterparts. Yet their inherently-large fraction of internal interfaces (grain boundaries, GBs), associated with excess energy, leads to coarsening of their structure at elevated temperatures during either fabrication, processing or service life. This results in a rapid deterioration of their properties, rendering them unsuitable for many applications. Compared with conventional, kinetic stabilization of NC alloys, which is limited and temporary in nature, the approach proposed here is of ‘Thermodynamic Stabilization by Interface Engineering’ employing solute segregation: alloying with elements which preferentially migrate to GBs to substantially reduce their excess energy, leading to a stable, tunable nano-scale grain size even at high temperatures. Employing a thermodynamic approach for engineering the structure and chemistry of interfaces in these materials stands a good chance of overcoming their fundamental stability hurdle with nature’s blessing. The main materials to be studied are iron-based alloys. In particular, NC iron-magnesium alloys have the potential for exceptional absolute and specific strength, exceeding that of the hardest steels. Experiments will be combined with mesoscale and atomistic simulations of thermodynamic, kinetic and mechanical properties. This international interdisciplinary research involves MIT (USA), Technion (Israel) and WWU (Germany), bridges physical metallurgy, nanotechnology and interface science. It will result in a deeper fundamental understanding of energetics and kinetics in NC alloys; tools for designing stable NC alloys with tailored mechanical properties; and commercialization of successful alloys. It shall thus strengthen the EU ""metallurgical infrastructure"" according to the EC’s Metallurgy Road Map." Fields of science agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturegrains and oilseedsnatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrytransition metalsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesthermodynamicsengineering and technologynanotechnologyengineering and technologymaterials engineeringmetallurgy Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2016 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2016 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-GF - Global Fellowships Coordinator TECHNION - ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Net EU contribution € 263 385,00 Address Senate building technion city 32000 Haifa Israel See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 Partners (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all Partner Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement. MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY United States Net EU contribution € 0,00 Address Massachusetts avenue 77 02139 Cambridge See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 172 130,40
