Introduction to Heterostructured Materials: A Fast Emerging Field

Abstract Strong and tough materials are desired for lightweight, energy efficient applications such as electric cars aerospace applications. Recently, heterostructures found to produce unprecedented strength ductility that considered impossible based on the science in our textbooks. Such superior mechanical properties enabled by a new scientific principle: hetero-deformation-induced (HDI) strengthening work hardening. Heterostructured (HS) consist of heterogeneous zones with dramatic difference (> 100 pct) flow stresses. The inter-zone interaction produces back stress soft forward hard zones, which collectively HDI stress. HS possess significant synergistic effect where integrated property exceeds prediction rule mixtures. Importantly, can be produced current industrial facilities at large scale low cost. sciences promising driving fast development an emerging field. There many fundamental issues need probed so effectively design properties. To solve these issues, it requires collaborative efforts communities experimental computational material mechanics.