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Ultra-high strength steels with excellent strength, ductility and toughness have become one of indispensable high-performance structural materials. The development of ultra-high strength steels with higher performance has been widely concerned to break the strength-ductility trade-off. This study proposes a material inverse design strategy that combines material genetic design with thermodynamic calculation to search for new alloys with desirable microstructure and optimal strengthening contributions. Based on the advancement of the ‘Pareto Front’, a new steel with superior properties was successfully screened from 390,625 candidate individuals, which was verified by experiments. The experimental results show that a new steel Fe-0.25C-14.8Ni-17.0Co-2.54Mo-1.56Cr-0.53Al-1.06Cu-0.38V (wt. %) has been successfully developed. After quenching-cryogenic-aging process, the new steel achieved a superior combination of strength, ductility and toughness, with a yield strength of 2.2 GPa, an elongation-to-failure of 10% and a V-notch impact energy of 15 J. Multi-scale microstructure characterization indicates that such superior property synergy arises from the unique microstructure: lath martensite matrix with high-density dislocations and interstitial solid soluble carbon atoms, embedded fine M2C, NiAl and Cu-rich nanoprecipitates. We present an in-depth discussion on the origins of superior strength/ductility/toughness combinations of the new steel to validate the design strategy and provide an accessible pathway exploiting high-performance ultra-high strength steels.

Abstract Electrochemical CO2 reduction has garnered significant interest in the conversion of sustainable energy to valuable fuels and chemicals. Cu‐based bimetallic catalysts play a crucial role in enhancing *CO concentration on Cu sites for efficient C─C coupling reactions, particularly for C2 product generation. To enhance Cu's electronic structure and direct its selectivity toward C2 products, a novel strategy is proposed involving the in situ electropolymerization of a nano‐thickness cobalt porphyrin polymeric network (EP‐CoP) onto a copper electrode, resulting in the creation of a highly effective EP‐CoP/Cu tandem catalyst. The even distribution of EP‐CoP facilitates the initial reduction of CO2 to *CO intermediates, which then transition to Cu sites for efficient C─C coupling. DFT calculations confirm that the *CO enrichment from Co sites boosts *CO coverage on Cu sites, promoting C─C coupling for C2+ product formation. The EP‐CoP/Cu gas diffusion electrode achieves an impressive current density of 726 mA cm−2 at −0.9 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), with a 76.8% Faraday efficiency for total C2+ conversion and 43% for ethylene, demonstrating exceptional long‐term stability in flow cells. These findings mark a significant step forward in developing a tandem catalyst system for the effective electrochemical production of ethylene.

Ultra-high strength steels are the crucial irreplaceable materials in the fields of aerospace, national defense and military industries. Unfortunately, it is challenging to achieve the requirements of vital components because of the strength-toughness trade-off of ultra-high strength steels. In this review, three types of conventional ultra-high strength martensitic steels are systematically summarized. These are: (i) low alloy ultra-high strength steels; (ii) ultra-high strength maraging steels; and (iii) Co–Ni secondary hardening steels. The main influencing factors of mechanical properties of ultra-high strength steels and the exploration on strengthening/toughening are discussed. In particular, the design concept based on the synergistic precipitation of low lattice misfit nano-particles and the formation of martensite matrix with high-density dislocations is a promising approach to develop novel ultra-high strength steels. Finally, some suggestions on the traditional design methods and future development of ultra-high strength steels are put forward and an outlook on future work is offered. This provides guidance for the development of novel ultra-high strength steels with excellent comprehensive performance.

In this study, we present the effects of 0.004~0.098 wt% Zr and thermo-mechanical processing (TMP) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the China RAFM steel, CLAM, as a feasibility study for improving mechanical properties. The inclusions in ingots were characterized using optical microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), which could be classified as fine simple particles and large complex particles. The complexity of the alloy’s inclusion composition increases with the increasing Zr concentration. The higher the Zr content, the more complex the composition of inclusions in the alloy. The average diameter of inclusions in 0.004Zr steel was the smallest, which was 0.79 μm and the volume fraction was 0.018%. The highest yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, and impact energy of 0.004Zr alloy at room temperature were 548.3 MPa, 679.4 MPa, 25.7%, and 253.9 J. The structure of the TMPed steels was all tempered martensite. With the increase in tempering temperature, the yield and tensile strength of the experimental steel gradually decreased, while the elongation and impact energy gradually increased. The 0.004ZrD and 0.004ZrH alloys had the best yield strength and impact energy, which were 597.9 and 611.8 MPa and 225.9 and 243.3 J, respectively. In addition, the alloys showed good thermal stability during the aging at 600 °C for 1500 h. It was discovered that TMP is a simple and practical industrial technique that could successfully enhance the mechanical properties of CLAM steel without sacrificing impact toughness.

Rolling deformation is the fundamental process path in steel production, which not only changes the shape and size of the billet, but also improves the internal structure and mechanical properties. In the deformation process of steel matrix, the inclusion also evolves. In this paper, the research on inclusion evolution in solid steel rolling deformation process is reviewed, and the corresponding control strategies are pointed out from the perspective of inclusion deformation mechanism. The control methods for MnS focuses on reducing the difference in the hardness between MnS and steel matrix and on selecting the suitable rolling deformation process. The control method for silicate inclusions primarily focuses on altering the composition. The control direction of well-modified calcium aluminate inclusions involves removing the large size particles completely. Moreover, the strategy for inclusions with high hardness is to control their size. Finally, avenues for future research on inclusion deformation are proposed.

As one of the vital ways to improve the converter heat balance and increase the scrap ratio, scrap pre-heating technology has attracted much attention from researchers. The aim of this paper is to reveal the effect of the oxy-fuel lance parameters on the temperature field, flow field, and scrap pre-heating temperature in the ladle by means of numerical simulations. For this, a three-dimensional mathematical model containing the turbulence model, the porous medium heat balance model, and other models has been developed. The research results show that the rational and correct choice of gas flow rate, lance position, and nozzle angle has an important influence on the temperature field and the average scrap temperature. When the gas flow rate increases, the internal annular combustion zone of the scrap gradually expands, the cold zone at the bottom of the scrap continues to decrease, and the average scrap temperature keeps increasing. When the gas flow rate is 5000 m3/h, and the average scrap temperature reaches 1197 K, the pre-heating time is 9.98 min. Lowering the oxy-fuel lance position helps to reduce the cold zone at the bottom of the scrap and increases the average temperature in the cold zone. Reasonable selection of the nozzle angle is conducive to improving the uniformity of the flow field. When the angle of the nozzle is 15°, the gas circulation zone is the largest, and the time to reach an average scrap temperature of 1197 K is the shortest.

Na2O is an alkaline oxide, which can significantly improve the dephosphorization ability of converter slag. The effect of Na2O on the dephosphorization of converter slag was analyzed with a high-temperature dephosphorization experiment in a MoSi2 resistance furnace. We found that the dephosphorization rate increased with the increase of (Na2O) in the dephosphorization slag. The elements of Ca, Si, O, and P in the dephosphorization slag are distributed in the same area, mainly in the form of phosphate minerals, such as Ca2SiO4·0.05Ca3(PO4)2 and 6Ca2SiO4·Ca3(PO4)2. After adding Na2O, part of the Na will replace the Ca in the phosphorus-containing phase to form Ca2SiO4·Ca2Na2(PO4)2. The industrial test showed that the average dephosphorization rate in the early stage of the test heats with the CaO-MgO-FeO-SiO2-0.5%Na2O slag system could reach 62.39%, which was 19.62% higher than that of the conventional heats. The average basicity of the final slag was 0.19% lower than that of the conventional heats, while w(P2O5) increased by 0.36%, and T.Fe decreased by 0.69%. The average consumption of the slagging materials was 35.93 kg/t, which was 7.24 kg/t less than that of the conventional heats. Through thermodynamic calculation, we found that with the increase of (Na2O), the phosphorus distribution ratio between slag and steel increased significantly, the area of the liquid phase zone of the slag system increased continuously, and the viscosity decreased continuously.

Y-containing CLAM steels were melted via vacuum induction melting and electroslag remelting. In this study, the evolution, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the alloy inclusions (ESR-1 (0 wt.% Y), ESR-2 (0.016 wt.% Y) and ESR-3 (0.042 wt.% Y)) were investigated. Further, the number of inclusions in ESRed steel was observed to obviously decrease, and the distributions were more uniform. The fine Y–Al–O inclusions (1–2 μm) were the main inclusions in ESR-2. The addition of Y affected the prior austenite grain size (PAGZ), increasing the tensile strength at test temperature. Low ductile–brittle transition temperature (DBTT) was obtained because of the fine PAGZ and dispersive inclusions. For the ESRed CLAM steel with 0.016 wt.% Y, the yield strengths were 621 MPa at 20 °C and 354 MPa at 600 °C in air. Further, the uniform elongation and elongation of the ESR-2 alloy were 5.5% and 20.1% at 20 °C, respectively. Meanwhile, the DBTT tested using full-size Charpy impact specimen (55 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm) was reduced to −83 °C. Keywords: CLAM, Yttrium, Inclusion, Electroslag remelting, Mechanical properties

Metal–organic frames (MOFs) have recently been used to support redox enzymes for highly sensitive and selective chemical sensors for small biomolecules such as oxygen (O2), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), etc. However, most MOFs are insulative and their three-dimensional (3D) porous structures hinder the electron transfer pathway between the current collector and the redox enzyme molecules. In order to facilitate electron transfer, here we adopt two-dimensional (2D) metal–organic layers (MOLs) to support the HRP molecules in the detection of H2O2. The correlation between the current response and the H2O2 concentration presents a linear range from 7.5 μM to 1500 μM with a detection limit of 0.87 μM (S/N = 3). The sensitivity, reproducibility, and stability of the enzyme sensor are promoted due to the facilitated electron transfer.

In this paper, the CLAM steel strengthened by micro-scale Y–Zr–O was prepared by vacuum induction melting followed by electroslag remelting (VIM-ESR). Yttrium (Y) and zirconium (Zr) were easy to aggregates into massive yttrium-zirconium-rich inclusions in the steel melted by vacuum induction melting (VIM), which would interrupt the continuity of the matrix and reduce the mechanical properties of steel. Micron-sized Y–Zr–O inclusions would be produced with the removal of original blocky Y–Zr-rich inclusions and the submicron-sized inclusions smaller than 0.2 μm could be retained in the steel. The small grain size and the better refinement and distribution uniformity of Y–Zr–O inclusions after remelting would be responsible for the better yield strength and toughness. For VIM-ESR alloy, the ultimate tensile strength is 749 MPa and the yield strength is 642 MPa at room temperature, meanwhile they are 391 MPa and 367 MPa at 600 °C, respectively. Meanwhile, the ductile-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) reduced from −43 °C (VIM) to-76 °C (VIM-ESR). Keywords: CLAM, Electroslag remelting, Y–Zr–O inclusions, Tensile mechanical, DBTT

The effects of Y and Ti on the microstructure stability and tensile properties of the reduced activation ferritic/martensitic steel have been investigated. The addition of Y and Ti affected the prior austenite grain size due to the pinning of the inclusions. Ti addition of 0.008 wt% to the steel was intended to promote the precipitation of nano-sized carbides with a high resistance to coarsening. 8Ti14Y exhibited a higher yield strength and a lower DBTT than the other alloys due to the fine grain size and additional precipitation hardening by (Ti, Ta)-rich MX. After thermal exposure at 550 °C for 1500 h, yield strength was dropped significantly in exposed 0Ti13Y. On the contrary, a lower reduction of YS was observed in 8Ti14Y. The M23C6 in 0Ti13Y and 8Ti14Y and MX in 25Ti14Y and 39Ti15Y coarsened seriously during ageing, which could be responsible for the reduction of the tensile properties of alloys. Keywords: Reduced activation ferritic/martensitic steels, Yttrium, Titanium, Thermal aging, Precipitation, Tensile properties

The problem of nitrogen pickup in the smelting process of the electric arc furnace (EAF) has not been solved well. Using seven slag–steel equilibrium experiments and theoretical analysis, the relation of the foaming index and optical basicity with the nitrogen capacity of slag was clarified. Meanwhile, the effect of slag composition on the equilibrium distribution ratio of nitrogen and the mass transfer coefficient of nitrogen pickup was also studied. The results show that, with the increase in slag basicity, the nitrogen pickup amount, nitrogen pickup rate, and nitrogen equilibrium distribution ratio LN increase. Increasing the foaming index of slag and reducing its optical basicity will increase the nitrogen capacity of slag, which is conducive to hindering the nitrogen pickup of molten steel. The relationship between slag optical basicity and nitrogen capacity can be expressed as lgCN = −5.59lgΛ − 12.41. With the increase in the Al2O3 content of slag, the nitrogen pickup amount of molten steel decreases and the nitrogen pickup rate decreases. The test with MgO = 7.5% showed the highest nitrogen pickup rate and the highest nitrogen pickup mass transfer coefficient, which were 0.21 × 10−4%/min and 1.97 × 10−4 cm/s, respectively. The test with Al2O3 = 7.5% in slag showed the lowest nitrogen pickup rate and the lowest nitrogen pickup mass transfer coefficient, which were 0.08 × 10−4%/min and 1.35 × 10−4 cm/s, respectively.

The effects of the Y- and Ti-containing inclusions on the tensile and impact properties of reduced activation ferritic martensitic (RAFM) steels were evaluated. Four steels with different Y and Ti contents were produced via vacuum induction melting. The size and quantity of inclusions in the steels were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, and the oxide particle formation mechanism was clarified. These inclusions helped to enhance the pinning effect of the austenite grain boundaries based on the Zener pinning force. The average prior austenite grain sizes, measured via the linear intercept method, were 12.34 (0 wt.% Ti), 9.35 (0.010 wt.% Ti), 10.22 (0.030 wt.% Ti), and 11.83 (0.050 wt.% Ti) μm for the four steels, in order of increasing Ti content, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy was conducted to observe the fine carbides. The strength and impact properties of the steel containing 0.010 wt.% Ti were improved, and the ductile-to-brittle-transition temperature was reduced to −70.5 °C. The tensile strength and impact toughness of the steel with 0.050 wt.% Ti were significantly reduced due to the coarsening of both the inclusions and grain size, as well as the precipitation of large TiN inclusions. The RAFM steel with approximately 0.015 wt.% Y and 0.010 wt.% Ti exhibited an optimized combination of microstructures, tensile properties, and impact properties among the four steels.

This study investigated the microstructural stability and mechanical properties exhibited by China low activation martensitic (CLAM) steels with different yttrium (Y) contents over 3000 h of aging at 550 °C. Scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction analysis, and transmission electron microscopy were employed to investigate the microstructural evolution of the steels. Results indicated that grain boundary migration was slow and the Laves phase precipitation was delayed in Y-containing steels. Grain boundaries at different angles in 0Y and 6Y CLAM steels were significantly affected, and those in 36Y and 71Y alloys exhibited negligible changes during the long-term thermal aging. Moreover, Y contents had appreciable effects on the strength and toughness of the aged steels. The stable microstructure of Y-containing CLAM alloys is responsible for improved strength and impact toughness during aging.

While photolithography stands as the predominant industrial methodology for the fabrication of functional three-dimensional micro-/nano-structures (3D-MNSs) in micro-/nano-devices, researchers continue to pursue an alternative avenue of using laser-induced photoelectrochemical (PEC) lithography directly on a semiconductor wafer. This innovative approach avoids the use of photoresists, auxiliary processes, and high-power laser sources. Unfortunately, the continuous use of strong chemical etchants employed in semiconductor industry, e.g., concentrated H2SO4/H2O2 or KOH solutions, poses challenges in excluding the interference of chemical etching on PEC etching processes. This challenge manifests in the notable deterioration of shape preservation, i.e., the feature sizes of the obtained 3D-MNSs seriously deviate from the structured photo-field. To address this, we developed a laser-induced PEC lithography (PECL) approach by employing a special etchant that acts as the acceptor of photogenerated electrons without chemically reacting with gallium arsenide (GaAs). Because excessive chemical etching was avoided, the illuminated GaA wafer undergoing PEC etching by the photogenerated holes is more significant, resulting in the anticipated machining accuracy. We systematically investigated technical parameters and controllably fabricated sinusoidal holographic grating within minutes, with the grating period aligning with the structured photo-field. The mean squared error of the feature size was controlled to as low as 0.96%. Its exceptional accuracy and efficiency make PECL a competitive technique for realizing functional 3D-MNSs in semiconductor micro-optical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermo-stability of microstructure during isothermal annealing at 900 °C and 1000 °C in a cold-worked Cu-Al2O3 composite with 0.1 wt.% Al content and its effect on resistance to softening were investigated in this paper. The results reveal that the microstructure following cold deformation consists of a Cu matrix with a refined grain size and high-density dislocations, accompanied by dispersed Al2O3 nanoparticles exhibiting an extremely low volume fraction. During isothermal annealing at 900 °C, the Al2O3 nanoparticles can strongly restrict the migration of the dislocations and suppress the recrystallization of the fine-grained Cu matrix by the Zener pinning effect. Furthermore, the presence of pinned dislocations facilitates the formation of sub-grain boundaries comprising high-density dislocations. Consequently, the Cu-Al2O3 composite with 0.1 wt.% Al content exhibits remarkable thermo-stability in its microstructure due to the incorporation of Al2O3 nanoparticles, resulting in a significantly elevated softening temperature of up to 1000 °C and thereby demonstrating excellent resistance against softening. However, the observed phenomenon of softening after isothermal annealing at 1000 °C for 5 hours can be attributed to extensive recrystallization growth that promotes twin boundary formation, primarily caused by the weakening Zener pinning effect resulting from Oswald ripening of Al2O3 and rod-like Al2O3 formation.