Turning Heroic Efforts Into Everyday Experiments
Driven by the insights from 3D data acquired in real-time, the creation of new characterization methods for structural metals has seen explosive growth over the past two decades. Using high-energy X-rays and new generations of detectors, like those available at CHESS, scientists can now extract higher-resolution information over larger volumes of material at rates that were only a dream several years ago
Analysis of a three-dimensional slip field in a hexagonal Ti alloy from in-situ high-energy X-ray diffraction microscopy data
For the first time, a microscale plastic strain field (also known as crystallographic slip) has been non-destructively reconstructed in 3D in a deforming alloy.
AI powers autonomous materials discovery
SARA (the Scientific Autonomous Reasoning Agent) integrates robotic materials synthesis and characterization, along with a hierarchy of artificial intelligence and active learning methods, to efficiently reveal the structure of complex processing phase diagrams, making materials discovery vastly quicker.
In situ SAXS/WAXS mapping of thermoplastic crystallization during 3D printing
AFRL and Boeing collaborate with CHESS to enable real-time measurements of high performance thermoplastics in 3D printing composites processing.
Summer Students: Live and In-Person
CHESS Summer students came together last month for their first - and only - in-person meeting of the summer. The group of students have been working remotely with their mentors since the start of the program on June 6th due to Covid-safety precautions.
Autonomous materials development using in situ laser annealing and scan-probe, grazing incident x-ray microdiffraction.
During the 2021-1 run cycle at the FMB-beamline of MSN-C, an interdisciplinary group of researchers based at Cornell University demonstrated the first use of an AI-directed, fully-automated process for thin-film metastable materials exploration.
Quantifying Through-Thickness Residual Stresses from Forming of Wrought Steel Armor Plate
A recent effort has verified the capability of MSN-C to characterize Department of Defense-relevant parts with typical thicknesses, bend, and welded features. The results provide a baseline for further research by the DOD and industry partners to improve forming and welding processes.
Mechanics of nozzle clogging during direct ink writing of fiber-reinforced composites
In situ X-ray radiography at CHESS, in conjunction with ex situ X-ray computed tomography (XCT), was employed to study the origins of fiber-induced clogging during 3D printing of fiber-filled polymer inks. This work reveals several promising strategies to mitigate nozzle clogging, which will allow researchers to reliably print materials with higher fiber contents and mechanical properties that rival conventionally processed composites.