Better metals, with help from a small square with billions of holes

Despite significant advances in technology, knowing the atomic arrangement of metals in their microstructure—which defines their strength, deformability and other properties—is still tricky. In a new study, Yale researchers show that a mold about half the size of a fingernail could solve that problem and lead to the development of stronger, higher-performing materials for airplanes and other uses. Their results are published in Nature Communications.