Exsolution-Driven Surface Transformation in the Host Oxide.

Exsolution synthesizes self-assembled metal nanoparticle catalysts via phase precipitation. An overlooked aspect in this method thus far is how exsolution affects the host oxide surface chemistry and structure. Such information is critical as the oxide itself can also contribute to the overall catalytic activity.

Proton irradiation-decelerated intergranular corrosion of Ni-Cr alloys in molten salt.

The effects of ionizing radiation on materials often reduce to "bad news". Radiation damage usually leads to detrimental effects such as embrittlement, accelerated creep, phase instability, and radiation-altered corrosion. Here we report that proton irradiation decelerates intergranular corrosion of Ni-Cr alloys in molten fluoride salt at 650 °C.

Compensating film stress in thin silicon substrates using ion implantation.

Future space telescopes, especially X-ray telescopes, will require thin mirrors to achieve high optical throughput. Thin mirrors are more difficult to fabricate than thick mirrors, but recent advances have made accurate fabrication of thin mirrors possible. However, mirrors must have a reflective coating, which typically has non-repeatable and non-uniform intrinsic stress that deforms a thin mirror.