FROM THE LABS.
High entropy alloys
Scientists are always searching for newer materials for dierent applications. For example, it would be wonderful to have an alloy that can be super strong at extremely high and low temperatures. We have good alloys that are super good at either extremely high or extremely low temperatures, but not both.
Now, a group of researchers, headed by Robert Ritchie, at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, US, have developed an alloy composed of niobium, tantalum, titanium that is super strong at both very high and very low temperatures. Strength of a material is defined in terms of how much force it can withstand before it is permanently deformed.
The scientists were researching a new class of metals known as ‘refractory high entropy alloys’ (RHEAs) and ‘refractory medium entropy alloys’ (RMEAs).
Most of the metals we see in commercial or industrial applications are alloys made of one main metal mixed with small quantities of other elements, but RHEAs and RMEAs are made by mixing near-equal quantities of metallic elements with very high melting temperatures, which gives them unique properties that scientists are still unravelling. Ritchie’s group has been investigating these alloys for several years nowbecause of their potential for high-temperature applications.
The scientists evaluated strength and toughness at five temperatures in total: -196°C (the temperature of liquid nitrogen), 25°C (room temperature), 800°C, 950°C, and 1200°C. The last temperature is about 1/5 the surface temperature of the sun.
The team found that the alloy had the highest strength in the cold and became slightly weaker as the temperature rose, but still boasted impressive figures throughout the wide range, says an article put up by Lawrence-Berkeley National Lab on its website. The fracture toughness, which is calculated from how much force it takes to propagate an existing crack in a material, was high at all temperatures.
IIT-B unleashes ‘Etherion’
IIT Bombay has developed an electric racing car and has christened it Etherion. When the vehicle was unveiled on March 27, it became the 13th electric vehicle crafted by the IIT Bombay Racing team.
According to a press release, Etherion, which features a carbon fibre monocoque body, was developed in collaboration with Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Company.
This innovation not only sheds significant weight but also enhances driver safety while fortifying the chassis with increased strength and rigidity, says the release.
Etherion stands as a testament to indigenous ingenuity, as the team meticulously designed the car from the ground up. Utilising a diverse range of materials including metals, composites and 3D-printed plastics, they manufactured nearly all components in-house. Notably, the car boasts a bespoke battery management system tailored for its 400V, 8.7 kWh battery, providing ample power for a rigorous 22km Endurance event in the competition.
Pushing the boundaries of innovation, the team integrated state-of-the-art electrical systems, meticulously crafted and rigorously tested by team members themselves. “As they gear up for the prestigious Formula Student Austria competition at the iconic Red Bull Ring in Spielberg from July 21st to 25th, the focus now shifts to exhaustive testing. This phase not only instils confidence but also serves as a platform for refining systems, with the aim of securing esteemed accolades and setting new benchmarks,” the release says.