Nanometer-scale atom clusters (with average diameters below 20 nm) of a variety of materials, including both metals and ceramics, have been synthesized by precursor evaporation and condensation in high-purity gases. The gas-entrained clusters can be collected and subsequently consolidated in situ under ultrahigh vacuum or other controlled atmosphere conditions to create bulk nanophase materials. These ultrafine-grained materials have properties that are often significantly different and considerably improved relative to those of their coarser-grained counterparts. The observed property changes relate to both their small grain sizes and the large percentage of their atoms in grain boundary environments. Since it is becoming apparent that their properties can be engineered during gas-phase synthesis and subsequent processing, nanophase materials assembled from atom clusters should have significant potential for technological development in a variety of applications. Some of the recent research on nanophase materials is reviewed.

Nanometer-scale atom clusters (with average diameters below 20 nm) of a variety of materials, including both metals and ceramics, have been synthesized by precursor evaporation and condensation in high-purity gases. The gas-entrained clusters can be collected and subsequently consolidated in situ under ultrahigh vacuum or other controlled atmosphere conditions to create bulk nanophase materials. These ultrafine-grained materials have properties that are often significantly different and considerably improved relative to those of their coarser-grained counterparts. The observed property changes relate to both their small grain sizes and the large percentage of their atoms in grain boundary environments. Since it is becoming apparent that their properties can be engineered during gas-phase synthesis and subsequent processing, nanophase materials assembled from atom clusters should have significant potential for technological development in a variety of applications. Some of the recent research on nanophase materials is reviewed.

The preparation of metal and ceramic atom clusters by means of the gas-condensation method, followed by their in situ collection and consolidation under high-vacuum conditions, has recently led to the synthesis of a new class of ultrafine-grained materials. These nanophase materials, with typical average grain sizes of 5 to 50 nm and, hence, a large fraction of their atoms in interfaces, exhibit properties that are often considerably improved relative to those of conventional materials. Furthermore, their synthesis and processing characteristics should enable the design of new materials with unique properties. Some examples are ductile ceramics that can be formed and sintered to full density at low temperatures without the need for binding or sintering aids, and metals with dramatically increased strength. The synthesis of these materials is briefly described along with what is presently known of their structure and properties. Their future impact on materials science and technology is also considered.

The preparation of atomic clusters of metals and ceramics by means of the gas-condensation method, followed by their in situ consolidation under high-vacuum conditions, has recently led to the synthesis of a new class of ultrafine-grained materials for which their physics is intimately coupled with their application. These nanophase materials, with 2 to 20 nm grain sizes, appear to have properties that are often rather different from conventional materials, and also processing characteristics that are greatly improved. The nanophase synthesis method described here should enable the design of materials heretofore unavailable, with improved or unique properties, based upon an understanding of the physics of these new materials. 23 refs., 8 figs.

Physics of New Materials After the discoveries and applications of superconductors, new ceramics, amorphous and nano-materials, shape memory and other intelligent materials, physics became more and more important, comparable with chemistry, in the research and development of advanced materials. In this book, several important fields of physics-oriented new-materials research and physical means of analyses are selected and their fundamental principles and methods are described in a simple and understandable way. It is suitable as a textbook for university materials science courses.

This volume contains the papers presented at the First Mexico-U.S.A. Symposium on Materials Sciences and Engineering held in Ixtapa, Guerrero, Mexico, during Septem ber 24-27, 1991. The conference was conceived with the primary objective of increas ing the close ties between scientists and engineers in both Mexico and the U.S. with an interest in materials. The conference itself would have not taken place without the drive, determination and technical knowledge of John K. Tien of the University of Texas at Austin and of Francisco Mejia Lira of the Universidad de San Luis Potosi. This book is dedicated to their memory. The event brought together materials scientists and engineers with interests in a broad range of subjects in the processing, characterization and properties of advanced materials. Several papers were dedicated to structural materials ranging from ferrous alloys to intemetallics, ceramics and composites. The presentation covered properties, processing, and factors that control their use, such as fatigue and corrosion. Other materials and properties were also explored by U.S. and Mexican participants. Sev eral papers dealt with the characterization and properties of magnetics, optical and superconductor materials, nanostructured materials, as well as with computational and theoretical aspects likely to impact future materials research and development.