The latest discoveries in Mechanical Engineering
A concise briefing on the most relevant research developments in your field, curated for clarity and impact.
When crystals turn to glass under pressure
A new study reveals a surprising mechanism by which a common mineral, forsterite, deforms under stress. Using simulations and microscopy, researchers have shown that intense mechanical stress can cause the crystalline structure to locally transform into a disordered, amorphous state—a process known as stress-induced amorphization. This transformation acts as a plasticity mechanism, allowing the material to flow and accommodate strain in a manner similar to a phase change, challenging traditional views of how brittle crystalline materials behave under extreme conditions.
Why it might matter to you:
For an engineer focused on innovation and material performance, this finding introduces a novel deformation pathway that could be harnessed in designing materials for extreme environments, such as in aerospace or geotechnical applications. Understanding this amorphization mechanism could inform the development of next-generation ceramics or composites where controlled failure or energy dissipation is critical. It provides a fresh conceptual framework for analyzing material behavior beyond conventional elastic and plastic models.
If you wish to receive daily, weekly, biweekly or monthly personalized briefings like this, please.
Stay curious. Stay informed — with
Science Briefing.
You can update your preferences at
My Preferences.