by A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Birmingham has revealed a strong connection between the electronic structure and mechanical properties of metals. Published in the journal Science, the study provides experimental evidence for the theoretical understanding that there is a link between these two aspects of metals.
In the past, it was believed that the connection between the electronic and mechanical properties of metals would be too small to detect in experiments. However, the researchers were able to demonstrate, for the first time, that the electronic structure of a metal can significantly impact its mechanical properties.
Dr. Clifford Hicks, a Reader in Condensed Matter Physics at the University of Birmingham and one of the study’s authors, explained that while mechanical properties are typically described in terms of atomic bonding, electronic properties extend across multiple atoms. It had been assumed that the arrangement of atoms in a metal, known as the atomic lattice, and its mechanical properties would be unaffected by the occupancy of electronic states. However, the study showed that this assumption is not always accurate.
The experiments were conducted on a superconducting metal called strontium ruthenate (Sr2RuO4). By measuring lattice distortion under applied stress, the researchers discovered that when Sr2RuO4 was compressed by around 0.5%, a measure of mechanical stiffness known as the Young’s modulus decreased by approximately 10%. As the material was further compressed, the Young’s modulus increased by approximately 20%. This change corresponded to the occupancy of new electronic states, which had previously been identified through electronic measurements.
Dr. Hicks noted that measuring stress-strain relationships in mechanical engineering is standard practice, but it has not been used to study electronic properties. This is because metals with interesting electronic properties are often brittle, making it challenging to apply large forces. Additionally, significant strains are usually required to meaningfully alter electronic properties. In this study, samples of Sr2RuO4 were compressed by up to 1%, which is equivalent to squeezing a meter-stick made of granite until it is 99 cm long.
To overcome these challenges, the researchers had to develop new instrumentation capable of measuring small and delicate samples and operating at cryogenic temperatures for more accurate electronic measurements. This required five years of planning and design.
This groundbreaking research opens the door for similar measurements to be conducted on other metals. The team is eager to expand their research to investigate the relationship between electronic structure and mechanical properties in different materials. The machine developed for this study may also find applications in the study of high-strength alloys, contributing to advancements in material science and engineering.
This study serves as an example of how fundamental research driven by curiosity can lead to practical applications and new technological advancements.
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- Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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