Hiroshima atomic bomb debris. Researchers have discovered a previously unknown, seven-element alloy in fragments of “hiroshimite” rock formed during the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in August 1945. The high-energy nuclear explosion created extreme conditions that produced this unusual alloy, which was identified and photographed using a scanning electron microscope. The findings are published in Science Advances.
Nuclear explosions can generate temperatures exceeding 1,800°C, creating a natural laboratory for the formation of new multicomponent alloys. These materials can display valuable properties, including high strength and ductility, that are difficult to achieve with conventional alloys. The discovery offers researchers new insight into how extreme heat and pressure can create previously unknown materials.
Luca Bindi et al./Science Advances
Source: www.nature.com