Superplastic nanowires pulled from the surface of common salt.
Superplastic nanowires were formed by touching the NaCl(100) surface with a Au tip in a transmission electron microscope. The nanowires were stretched < or =2.2 microm, or 280%, and bent >90 degrees upon compression, when showered with the electron beam. More surprisingly, no dislocations were observable during the elongation due to fast diffusion. Mechanical measurements in humid atmospheres suggest that salt nanowires also form in ambient environments.
Moore
Nathan W
NW
Surface and Interface Sciences, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA. nwmoore@sandia.gov
Luo
Junhang
J
Huang
J Y
JY
Mao
Scott X
SX
Houston
J E
JE