Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method, comprising: sintering a plurality of nanocrystalline particulates to form a nanocrystalline alloy, wherein at least some of the nanocrystalline particulates may include a non-equilibrium phase comprising a first metal material and a second metal material, and the first metal material may be soluble in the second metal material. The sintered nanocrystalline alloy may comprise a bulk nanocrystalline alloy.

Abstract: Titanium-containing alloys are generally described. The titanium-containing alloys are, according to certain embodiments, nanocrystalline. According to certain embodiments, the titanium-containing alloys have high relative densities. The titanium-containing alloys can be relatively stable, according to certain embodiments. Inventive methods for making titanium-containing alloys are also described herein. The inventive methods for making titanium-containing alloys can involve, according to certain embodiments, sintering nanocrystalline particulates comprising titanium and at least one other metal to form a titanium-containing nanocrystalline alloy.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method, comprising: sintering a plurality of nanocrystalline particulates to form a nanocrystalline alloy, wherein at least some of the nanocrystalline particulates may include a non-equilibrium phase comprising a first metal material and a second metal material, and the first metal material may be soluble in the second metal material. The sintered nanocrystalline alloy may comprise a bulk nanocrystalline alloy.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of identifying a stable phase of an ordering binary alloy system comprising a solute element and a solvent element, the method comprising: determining at least three thermodynamic parameters associated with grain boundary segregation, phase separation, and intermetallic compound formation of the ordering binary alloy system; and identifying the stable phase of the ordering binary alloy system based on the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter by comparing the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter with a predetermined set of respective thermodynamic parameters to identify the stable phase; wherein the stable phase is one of a stable nanocrystalline phase, a metastable nanocrystalline phase, and a non-nanocrystalline phase.

Abstract: Articles and methods in which an electric field is used to actuate a material are generally described. Provided in one embodiment is a method including applying an electric field to a ceramic material. Applying the electric field to the ceramic material can transform the ceramic material from a first solid phase to a second distinct solid phase. The applied electric field is less than a breakdown electric field of the ceramic material, according to certain embodiments.

Abstract: There is provided a shape memory alloy wire with a length of polycrystalline shape memory alloy having an alloy composition including at least one member selected from the group consisting of Cu in at least 10 wt. %, Fe in at least 5 wt. %, Au in at least 5 wt. %, Ag in at least 5 wt. %, Al in at least 5 wt. %, In in at least 5 wt. %, Mn in at least 5 wt. %, Zn in at least 5 wt. % and Co in at least 5 wt. %, and having a martensite crystal structure consisting of one of 2H, 18R1, M18R, and 6R. The length of polycrystalline shape memory alloy has a cross sectional wire diameter greater than 1 micron and less than 500 microns, an oligocrystalline morphology including polycrystalline grains that span the wire diameter and a wire surface with a surface roughness that is no greater than about 100 nanometers.

Abstract: Bipolar wave current, with both positive and negative current portions, is used to electrodeposit a nanocrystalline grain size deposit. Polarity Ratio is the ratio of the absolute value of the time integrated amplitude of negative polarity current and positive polarity current. Grain size can be precisely controlled in alloys of two or more chemical components, at least one of which is a metal, and at least one of which is most electro-active. Typically, although not always, the amount of the more electro-active material is preferentially lessened in the deposit during times of negative current. The deposit also exhibits superior macroscopic quality, being relatively crack and void free.

Abstract: Identifying a stable phase of a binary alloy comprising a solute element and a solvent element. In one example, at least two thermodynamic parameters associated with grain growth and phase separation of the binary alloy are determined, and the stable phase of the binary alloy is identified based on the first thermodynamic parameter and the second thermodynamic parameter, wherein the stable phase is one of a stable nanocrystalline phase, a metastable nanocrystalline phase, and a non-nanocrystalline phase.

Abstract: In a method for controlling energy damping in a shape memory alloy, provided is a shape memory alloy having a composition including at least one of: Cu in at least about 10 wt. %, Fe in at least about 5 wt. %, Au in at least about 5 wt. %, Ag in at least about 5 wt. %, Al in at least about 5 wt. %, In in at least about 5 wt. %, Mn in at least about 5 wt. %, Zn in at least about 5 wt. % and Co in at least about 5 wt. %. The shape memory alloy is configured into a structure including a structural feature having a surface roughness and having a feature extent that is greater than about 1 micron and less than about 1 millimeter. Energy damping of the structural feature is modified by exposing the structural feature to process conditions that alter the surface roughness of the structural feature.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of identifying a stable phase of an ordering binary alloy system comprising a solute element and a solvent element, the method comprising: determining at least three thermodynamic parameters associated with grain boundary segregation, phase separation, and intermetallic compound formation of the ordering binary alloy system; and identifying the stable phase of the ordering binary alloy system based on the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter by comparing the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter with a predetermined set of respective thermodynamic parameters to identify the stable phase; wherein the stable phase is one of a stable nanocrystalline phase, a metastable nanocrystalline phase, and a non-nanocrystalline phase.

Abstract: There is provided a shape memory ceramic structure including an aggregate population of crystalline particles. Each crystalline particle in the population, of crystalline particles comprises a shape memory ceramic particle material. Each crystalline particle in the population of crystalline particles has a crystalline particle extent that is between about 0.5 microns and about fifty microns. At least a portion of the population of crystalline particles has a crystalline structure that is either oligocrystalline or monocrystalline.

Abstract: Bipolar wave current, is used to electrodeposit a nanocrystalline grain size. Polarity Ratio is the ratio of absolute value of time integrated amplitude of negative and positive polarity current. Grain size can be controlled in alloys of two or more components, at least one of which is a metal, and at least one of which is most electro-active, such as nickel and tungsten and molybdenum. Typically, the more electro-active material is preferentially lessened during negative current. Coatings can be layered, each having an average grain size, which can vary layer to layer and also graded through a region. Deposits can be substantially free of either cracks or voids.

Abstract: There is provided herein a shape memory alloy wire that includes an alloy composition of CuAlMnNi and excluding grain refiner elements. The alloy composition includes 20 at %-28 at % Al, 2 at %-4 at % Ni, 3 at %-5 at % Mn with Cu as a remaining balance of the alloy composition. The alloy composition is disposed as an elongated wire of at least about 1 meter in length, having a wire diameter of less than about 150 microns. At least about 50 vol % of said alloy composition along said wire length has an oligocrystalline microstructure as-disposed in the wire and without thermal treatment of the wire.

Abstract: Iron-containing alloys, and associated systems and methods, are generally described. The iron-containing alloys are, according to certain embodiments, nanocrystalline. According to certain embodiments, the iron-containing alloys have high relative densities. The iron-containing alloys can be relatively stable, according to certain embodiments. Inventive methods for making iron-containing alloys are also described herein. The inventive methods for making iron-containing alloys can involve, according to certain embodiments, sintering nanocrystalline particulates comprising iron and at least one other element (e.g., at least one other metal or a metalloid) to form an iron-containing nanocrystalline alloy.

Abstract: Power pulsing, such as current pulsing, is used to control the structures of metals and alloys electrodeposited in non-aqueous electrolytes. Using waveforms containing different types of pulses: cathodic, off-time and anodic, internal microstructure, such as grain size, phase composition, phase domain size, phase arrangement or distribution and surface morphologies of the as-deposited alloys can be tailored. Additionally, these alloys exhibit superior macroscopic mechanical properties, such as strength, hardness, ductility and density. Waveform shape methods can produce aluminum alloys that are comparably hard (about 5 GPa and as ductile (about 13% elongation at fracture) as steel yet nearly as light as aluminum; or, stated differently, harder than aluminum alloys, yet lighter than steel, at a similar ductility. Al—Mn alloys have been made with such strength to weight ratios. Additional properties can be controlled, using the shape of the current waveform.

Abstract: Coated articles and methods for applying coatings are described. In some cases, the coating can exhibit desirable properties and characteristics such as durability, corrosion resistance, and high conductivity. The articles may be coated, for example, using an electrodeposition process.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of identifying a stable phase of an ordering binary alloy system comprising a solute element and a solvent element, the method comprising: determining at least three thermodynamic parameters associated with grain boundary segregation, phase separation, and intermetallic compound formation of the ordering binary alloy system; and identifying the stable phase of the ordering binary alloy system based on the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter by comparing the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter with a predetermined set of respective thermodynamic parameters to identify the stable phase; wherein the stable phase is one of a stable nanocrystalline phase, a metastable nanocrystalline phase, and a non-nanocrystalline phase.

Abstract: Coated articles and methods for applying coatings are described. The article may include a base material and a coating comprising silver formed thereon. In some embodiments, the coating comprises a silver-based alloy, such as a silver-tungsten alloy. The coating may, in some instances, include at least two layers. For example, the coating may include a first layer comprising a silver-based alloy and a second layer comprising a precious metal. The coating can exhibit desirable properties and characteristics such as durability (e.g., wear), hardness, corrosion resistance, and high conductivity, which may be beneficial, for example, in electrical and/or electronic applications. In some cases, the coating may be applied using an electrodeposition process.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of identifying a stable phase of an ordering binary alloy system comprising a solute element and a solvent element, the method comprising: determining at least three thermodynamic parameters associated with grain boundary segregation, phase separation, and intermetallic compound formation of the ordering binary alloy system; and identifying the stable phase of the ordering binary alloy system based on the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter by comparing the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter with a predetermined set of respective thermodynamic parameters to identify the stable phase; wherein the stable phase is one of a stable nanocrystalline phase, a metastable nanocrystalline phase, and a non-nanocrystalline phase.

Abstract: Al—Mnx/Al—Mny multilayers with a wide range of structures ranging from microcrystalline to nanocrystalline and amorphous were electrodeposited using a single bath method under galvanostatic control from room temperature ionic liquid. By varying the Mn composition by ?1-3 at. % between layers, the grain sizes in one material can be systematically modulated between two values. For example, one specimen alternates between grain sizes of about 21 and 52 nm, in an alloy of average composition of 10.3 at. % Mn. Nanoindentation testing revealed multilayers with finer grains and higher Mn content exhibited better resistance to plastic deformation. Other alloy systems also are expected to be electrodeposited under similar circumstances.