Atomic-scale design of radiation-tolerant nanocomposites

Recent work indicates that materials with nanoscale architectures, such as nanolayered Cu-Nb composites and nanoscale oxide dispersion-strengthened steels, are both thermally stable and offer improved performance under irradiation. Current understanding of the atomic-level response of such materials...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Demkowicz, Michael J. (Contributor), Bellon, P. (Author), Wirth, B. D. (Author)
Other Authors: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Materials Science and Engineering (Contributor)
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press, 2012-02-13T18:12:10Z.
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Summary:Recent work indicates that materials with nanoscale architectures, such as nanolayered Cu-Nb composites and nanoscale oxide dispersion-strengthened steels, are both thermally stable and offer improved performance under irradiation. Current understanding of the atomic-level response of such materials to radiation yields insights into how controlling composition, morphology, and interface-defect interactions may further enable atomic-scale design of radiation-tolerant nanostructured composite materials. With greater understanding of irradiation-assisted degradation mechanisms, this bottom-up design approach may pave the way for creating the extreme environment-tolerant structural materials needed to meet the world's clean energy demand by expanding use of advanced fission and future fusion power.