Accidental discovery enables room-temperature recrystallization of molybdenum
Researchers at the University of Rochester and Technion–Israel Institute of Technology accidentally discovered a new way to rearrange the internal structure of molybdenum—an extremely heat-resistant metal—at room temperature. Molybdenum is typically used to reinforce nuclear reactors, jet engine turbine blades and rocket nozzles because it doesn't melt until it is heated to more than 2,600°C…
Researchers at the University of Rochester and Technion–Israel Institute of Technology made an accidental discovery that allows molybdenum, a metal used in high-temperature applications, to be recrystallized at room temperature. Molybdenum typically doesn't melt until temperatures exceed 2,600°C (4,712°F). This breakthrough could enable new applications for the metal, such as next-generation semiconductors.
The researchers found that applying pressure with a nanometer-sized diamond tip causes molybdenum to restructure its crystal grains and recrystallize at room temperature. The technique requires precise control: applying too much pressure causes the new grains to vanish. This method could allow for targeted repairs or modifications to molybdenum samples without the need to heat the entire material to high temperatures.
The finding may also aid in developing more durable molybdenum for use in semiconductor interconnects, where copper's resistance increases at the nanoscale.
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