Developing
Methods
We develop novel in-situ methods. These methods rely on the use of various scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques, SEM-compatible (and often home-made) miniaturized stages, and data post-processing solutions – all in order to map the evolutions of microstructural, chemical, and mechanical fields in a spatially-resolved manner.
Unraveling
Mechanisms
Utilizing the insights gained through the use of our in-situ methods, we explain the underlying physical mechanisms of microstructural transformation, plasticity and damage in metallic materials. Phenomena of interest include solute-defect interactions, martensitic phase transformations, microcrack nucleation, growth and coalescence mechanisms, and beyond.
Designing
Materials
With this improved understanding of critical microstructural mechanisms, we design novel damage-resistant metallic materials that have properties superior compared to those of existing materials. Recently designed materials include metastable dual-phase high entropy alloys, TRIP-Maraging steels, refractory high entropy alloys, and multi-gradient steels.