Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026
08:58
Processing of Bulk Nanocrystalline Metals at the US Army Research Laboratory
Published on: March 7, 2018
9.9K
General nanomoulding with bulk metallic glasses.
1Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. Center for Research on Interface Structures and Phenomena, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
Nanotechnology
|March 19, 2015
Summary
Bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) offer excellent nanomoulding properties. A new theory and processing map reveal oxidation and capillary effects as key challenges, enabling successful molding of non-noble BMGs with a wetting layer strategy.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Surface Science
Background:
- Bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) are suitable for nanomoulding due to their strength and lack of size limitations.
- Previous attempts at molding BMGs into nanoscale features (10-100 nm) were limited, particularly with non-noble alloys.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a quantitative theory explaining challenges in BMG nanomoulding.
- To construct a processing map to identify limiting factors in BMG nanomoulding.
- To devise a strategy for successful air-based nanomoulding of non-noble BMGs.
Main Methods:
- Developed a quantitative theory incorporating viscous, capillary, and oxidation effects.
- Constructed a BMG nanomoulding processing map based on the theory.
- Implemented a wetting layer strategy to mitigate capillary effects.
Main Results:
- The theory identified oxidation as a critical factor at smaller length scales.
- The processing map revealed key limitations for BMG nanomoulding.
- A wetting layer strategy enabled molding of non-noble BMGs below 1 μm in air.
- The strategy also significantly improved demoulding efficiency.
Conclusions:
- Oxidation and capillary effects are critical challenges in BMG nanomoulding.
- A quantitative theory and processing map provide insights into overcoming these challenges.
- A wetting layer strategy offers a viable solution for air-based nanomoulding of non-noble BMGs and simplifies demoulding.
