Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are investigating the effects of physical forces on metals by taking a direct look at atomic-level changes in metals undergoing shear deformation.
Wang explained that the forces that are purposefully applied during metal manufacturing to create alloys are the same forces that can damage structures inside batteries to cause eventual failure. Researchers also know that shear deformation can fundamentally alter the microstructure of metals in ways that can actually improve the material—making metals stronger, lighter, and more flexible. But how that happens is still a mystery.
The group pointed out that the information gained from studying how these forces affect metals during controlled manufacturing processes can be directly translated and applied wherever metal experiences the same physical forces.