If the concern of dropping your phone into the flames of a fireplace haunts you deeply, your future might hold relief if you own a device made from a new class of ceramic materials capable of withstanding temperatures comparable to volcanic lava.
A research team from Duke University in America has successfully developed a method that allows for the quick discovery of these materials. They have described their properties and various applications in a study published in Nature journal. The materials found are more durable than steel and stable in chemically corrosive environments, which means they could not only be used in device construction but also as a foundation for new, corrosion-resistant coatings and in battery manufacturing.
The Duke University researchers discovered these materials using an advanced computational method that helped predict the fabrication of nearly 900 new ultra-strong materials. They tested 17 of these in the laboratory and reported significant success.
According to a press release published on Duke University’s website, these new ceramic materials that are resistant to heat and electrical insulation come from mixing special components using a process called hot pressing sintering. This process is somewhat analogous to cooking, where the ingredients are heated in a vacuum at extremely high temperatures.
The press release clarifies that the final ceramic product appears somewhat metallic, but in reality, it's super hard, qualifying it for various applications, including electronic devices.
Duke University's computational method discovers hundreds of new ceramics for harsh environments.
How Did the Researchers Discover It?
The researchers explained their method for preparing the new materials in their study, expected to revolutionize "device manufacturing." The steps are summarized as follows:
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Firstly, the use of the "DEED" computational method: This tool rapidly calculates the properties of hundreds of thousands of potential material combinations without having to physically create each one, focusing on what is known as the heat content (enthalpy) and thermal inertia (entropy). The method, without the abbreviations, is known as "Descriptor of Enthalpy and Entropy Derived," measuring the material design's strength and resilience, whereas "entropy" represents the number of designs with similar strength.
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Secondly, material discovery: Using the "DEED" computational method, the research team predicted 900 new material compositions and succeeded in producing and testing 17 new materials in laboratories.
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Thirdly, the experimental process: The method used to create these materials is called hot pressing sintering, involving heating the powdered material compounds in a vacuum at temperatures reaching 4000 degrees Fahrenheit, under pressure for several hours. This process, including preparation, reaction, and cooling, takes over 8 hours.
- Fourthly, material properties: The resulting ceramic appears metallic, dark gray, or black and resembles metallic alloys like stainless steel.
Researchers believe that factories could modify their existing procedures to make ultra-hard ceramic as the study described.
Questions Answered and Others Await
This method sparks a series of questions as detailed by Dr. Khaled Helaly, a professor of materials physics at the Egyptian University of Elminia, in a phone interview with "Al Jazeera Net":
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Practical applications: If researchers have been successful in research labs, how can current industries or manufacturing companies integrate these materials into their products or processes, and are there specific industries predisposed to adopt this ceramic sooner than others?
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Long-term durability and reliability: Although designed to withstand extreme temperatures, testing their durability and reliability over the long term is critical. Is there an intent by researchers to perform long-term tests of these materials in real-world applications or harsh environments?
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Cost: What is the impact of the production costs of these materials, which rely on high energy levels, and how could this affect broad-scale adoption? Are there ongoing efforts to improve manufacturing methods to make this ceramic more cost-effective?
- Testing and validation: While 17 compositions out of 900 were successfully produced and tested, what specific characteristics made these 17 stand out, and what criteria were used to select these compounds for production and lab testing?
The Duke University press release holds answers for the first question, while Helaly affirms that the other three necessitate further studies.
Stefano Curtarolo, a professor at Duke University and the study's lead researcher, mentioned, "They believe that current factories could adapt what they do to make the type of ultra-hard ceramics described in our study."
He adds that "our method allows for quick discovery of fabricable compositions, enabling a focus on improving the properties that block industry progress."
