States of Aggregation - Clustering, Segregation, Nucleation and Nanostructure

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High strength light alloys are nanostructured materials, deriving their mechanical properties from nanoscale dispersions of strengthening precipitate phases controlled by alloy composition and thermomechanical processing. Atom-probe field-ion microscopy and high-resolution electron microscopy will be combined to study the aggregation of solute atoms that precedes formation of the precipitate phases. Experimental studies at high spatial resolution will be complemented by elastic strain energy calculations and first-principles modelling of the aggregation behaviour, to define its role in controlling precipitation processes and thus properties. The work will provide a basis for improved alloy design and a platform for computer-aided design of high-performance alloys.