| Abstract Scope |
The focus on nanoscience has greatly advanced our ability to synthesize, characterize, and model nanomaterials with unprecedented physical and chemical properties that are derived from dimensional constraints. However, challenges in bridging nano- to mesoscale fabrication and microstructural instabilities present serious obstacles to the wide spread commercialization of structural nanomaterials. Sputter deposited nanotwinned NiMoW films have been shown to possess ultrahigh mechanical strength, extreme anisotropic plasticity, low electrical resistivity, low thermal expansion, and much needed thermal and mechanical microstructural stability. Here we report on in-situ experiments to elucidate the fundamental deformation mechanisms that underpin the extreme strength and highly anisotropic deformation of nanotwinned NiMoW. Related efforts involving the fabrication of freestanding microcantilever arrays possessing the dimensional stability required for next generation metal MEMS and IoT technologies will also be discussed. |