Scientists create an 'impossible alloy'

Washington, Feb 27 (ANI): Scientists have created an alloy between two incompatible elements, which was considered impossible earlier.

The 'impossible alloy' was created by a research team led by Professor H.K. Mao from Carnegie Institution of Washington and Professor Rajeev Ahuja from Uppsala University (UU).

The team used high-pressure experiments and theoretical calculations to study the behaviour of Ce3Al under high pressure.

"We were surprised to find that Cerium and Aluminium formed a so called substitutional alloy under high pressure. Forming these alloys has been limited to elements close in atomic radii and electronegativity up until now," said Professor Rajeev Ahuja of UU.

The difference in radii and electronegativity of Cerium and Aluminium was diminished by applying pressure.

Both synchrotron X-ray diffraction and ab initio calculations showed the same cause for bringing the two elements closer in radii and electronegativity, resulting in the new alloy phase.

After the release of pressure, the substitutional alloy still remained.

"This discovery opens up the possibility for finding new alloys with other ratios between Cerium and Aluminium, as well as alloys with Cerium and other incompatible elements. These new alloys may possess interesting and useful mechanical, electronic, and magnetic properties," said Ahuja. (ANI)