Updated September 2011 Atomic Trampoline Experiment.

Updated September 2011

Atomic TrampolineExperiment


Does designing a material on the

nano or molecular scale really do

anything productive on our level?


By engineering an alloy on the atomic level, the metal gains a list of novel properties that can be used in several applications.

Visit http://www.liquidmetaltechnologies.com to learn more about a commercial application of this process.


Cc by Frank Vincentz

cc by Ivak

Cast iron 100x magnification

Cc by Solid State


Image by LiquidMetal Technologies

This engineered alloy has an amorphous

structure. This means it has no

discernable pattern in its

atomic arrangement.

LiquidMetal alloy has no ordered crystalline structure


LiquidMetal41.2% Zr 13.8% Ti 12.5% Cu 10% Ni 22.5% Be 206pm 176pm 145pm 149pm 112pm

These are the percentages of the 5 elements that make up the alloy along with their atomic size

Sou

rce: W

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ents.com/]


cc by Chris73

Bronze Age

Iron Age

cc by SnowyOwls

Stone AgeCopper Age

Cc by Einsamer Schütze

Cc by Kompak

Carbon Steel

?cc by José-Manuel Benito Álvarez


LiquidMetal Alloy Properties

High Yield Strength High Hardness

Superior Strength/Weight Ratio Superior Elastic Limit

High Corrosion Resistance High Wear-Resistance

Unique Acoustical Properties


Gather several types of metals to compare with the new alloy:

•Aluminum•Brass•Copper•Steel•Titanium

Collect a clear tube, steel ball and a timer to time the bounces.

Elastic Strain Demo


1. Drop the steel ball from the same height on each type of metal.

2. Count the number of bounces and record them.

3. Use a computer recording software to record the bounces and time.

4. Draw a bar chart displaying the bounces for each metal.

5. Discuss applications for a metal that repels forces, doesn’t rust, and has low friction.

Elastic Strain Demo


This is a set of audio recordings of several metals

bounce test.It is easier to

count the number of

bounces visually rather than

audibly.

Image by HighPoint Learning


Image by HighPoint Learning


Industrial Applications?

Future Applications?

Scientific Applications?

Military Applications?


This module is one of a series designed to introduce faculty and high school students to the basic concepts of nanotechnology. Each module includes a

PowerPoint presentation, discussion questions, and hands-on activities, when applicable.

The series was funded in part by:

The National Science Foundation

Grant DUE-0702976and the

Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative

Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the

National Science Foundation or the Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative.


Image Credits Álvarez, José-Manuel Benito (Photographer). African LSA Biface. [Photograph of artifact]. Wikimedia Commons.

(commons.wikimedia.org)

Chris73. (Photographer). Bronze Weapon Messara Crete. [Photograph of artifact]. Wikimedia Commons. (commons.wikimedia.org)

Ivak (Designer). GGV-GGG. [Digital Image]. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)

Kompak. (Photographer). Carbon Steel Blade. [Photograph of object]. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)Schütze, Einsamer (Photographer). Copper Tools from Giza. [Photograph of artifacts]. Wikimedia Commons.

(commons.wikimedia.org)

SnowyOwls. {Photographer}. Iron Cha. [Photograph of artifact]. Wikimedia Commons.{commons.wikimedia.org)

Solid State (Designer). Body-centered cubic (bcc) unit cell of iron. [Digital Image]. Wikimedia Commons. (commons.wikimedia.org)

Vincentz, Frank. (Photographer). Cast iron EN-GJS-500-7, etched 3% Nital, perlite + (bull's eye) ferrite / spherical graphite, magnification 100:1 (if printed 12 x 9 cm). [Microscope Image]. Wikimedia Commons. (commons.wikimedia.org)


References

Atomic Radius. Web Elements. Retrieved from http://www.webelements.com

Our Technology. Liquid Metal Technologies. Retrieved from http://www.liquidmetal.com/technology/

Williams, Linda and Dr. Wade Adams. (2007). Nanotechnology Demystified. [Kindle Version] doi: 10.1036/0071460233

Updated September 2011 Atomic Trampoline Experiment.

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