Metals Become Stronger and More Flexible with Just a Momentary Electric Current
A research group from Kumamoto University and others has developed a new method that significantly strengthens titanium alloys with just a few milliseconds of pulsed current treatment. This method utilizes non-thermal effects, reducing energy consumption by over 50% while increasing toughness by up to 30%. Applications in aircraft structural materials and artificial joints are expected.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 19:57
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 17:39 (6h 8m after Collected)
Researchers from Kumamoto University, including Associate Professor Shaojie Gu of the International Research Center for Advanced Magnesium, Professors Yuhki Toku and Yasuyuki Morita of the Graduate School of Science and Technology, Professor Yasuhiro Kimura of Kyushu University's Faculty of Engineering, Associate Professor Yi Cui of Nagoya University's Graduate School of Engineering, and Chief Professor Yang Ju of Zhejiang University (also a visiting professor at Kumamoto University), have developed a new method that significantly enhances the toughness of titanium alloys through extremely short current treatment of just a few milliseconds.
In this research, by applying "High-Density Pulsed Current (HDPEC) treatment" to dual-phase titanium alloys, instantaneous induction of non-equilibrium atomic diffusion and phase transformation was achieved, leading to microstructural refinement and multiphase formation. As a result, the material's toughness was successfully improved by up to 30%. Unlike conventional heat treatment, this method utilizes the "electron wind force" (non-thermal effect) generated when electrons flowing through the current directly push atoms. This has also led to a reduction in energy consumption by over 50%.
These findings are expected to be applied as an innovative and energy-saving processing method for high-performance titanium materials used in aircraft structural components and artificial joints.
The research results were published on April 13, 2026, in the international academic journal "Nature Communications."
This research was supported by research funding from the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), and the International Research Center for Advanced Magnesium at Kumamoto University.
(Development)
This achievement is not limited to an innovative processing method for titanium materials but is expected to be applied to various metal materials as an energy-saving new organizational control method that replaces existing heat treatments.
[Glossary]
※1. Non-equilibrium Control: A method of controlling microstructure by intentionally inducing atomic diffusion and phase transformation in a short period before the material reaches thermodynamic equilibrium.
※2. Toughness: A mechanical property that indicates how much energy a material can absorb and deform before it cracks or fractures when subjected to external force. It is an important mechanical property related to both strength and ductility.
※3. Non-thermal Effect: An effect generated by the flow of electrons themselves exerting force on atoms, distinct from heating by current (Joule heat). Representative examples include the mechanical interaction between electrons and atoms, and electron wind force.
※4. High-Density Pulsed Current: A processing technology that introduces electron wind force into metal materials by passing a high-density current in a short period.
(Paper Information)
Paper Title: Electric current-driven heterogeneous microstructures in dual-phase titanium alloys
Authors: Shaojie Gu†*, Yasuhiro Kimura*, Yi Cui, Yasuyuki Morita*, Sora Isoi, Chang Liu, Xinming Yan, Bingfeng Ju, Huayong Yang, Yuhki Toku†*, Yang Ju†* (†: equal contribution, *: equal correspondence)
Journal: Nature Communications
doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-70561-6
URL: https://rdcu.be/fdb9w
[Details] Press Release (PDF 710KB)
Contact Information:
[Media Inquiries]
Kumamoto University Public Relations Strategy Office
Phone: 096-342-3271
e-mail:sos-koho※jimu.kumamoto-u.ac.jp
[Research Inquiries]
International Research Center for Advanced Magnesium, Kumamoto University
Contact: (Associate Professor) Shaojie Gu
Phone: 096-342-3752
e-mail:shaojie.gu※mech.kumamoto-u.ac.jp
(Please replace ※ with @)
In this research, by applying "High-Density Pulsed Current (HDPEC) treatment" to dual-phase titanium alloys, instantaneous induction of non-equilibrium atomic diffusion and phase transformation was achieved, leading to microstructural refinement and multiphase formation. As a result, the material's toughness was successfully improved by up to 30%. Unlike conventional heat treatment, this method utilizes the "electron wind force" (non-thermal effect) generated when electrons flowing through the current directly push atoms. This has also led to a reduction in energy consumption by over 50%.
These findings are expected to be applied as an innovative and energy-saving processing method for high-performance titanium materials used in aircraft structural components and artificial joints.
The research results were published on April 13, 2026, in the international academic journal "Nature Communications."
This research was supported by research funding from the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), and the International Research Center for Advanced Magnesium at Kumamoto University.
(Development)
This achievement is not limited to an innovative processing method for titanium materials but is expected to be applied to various metal materials as an energy-saving new organizational control method that replaces existing heat treatments.
[Glossary]
※1. Non-equilibrium Control: A method of controlling microstructure by intentionally inducing atomic diffusion and phase transformation in a short period before the material reaches thermodynamic equilibrium.
※2. Toughness: A mechanical property that indicates how much energy a material can absorb and deform before it cracks or fractures when subjected to external force. It is an important mechanical property related to both strength and ductility.
※3. Non-thermal Effect: An effect generated by the flow of electrons themselves exerting force on atoms, distinct from heating by current (Joule heat). Representative examples include the mechanical interaction between electrons and atoms, and electron wind force.
※4. High-Density Pulsed Current: A processing technology that introduces electron wind force into metal materials by passing a high-density current in a short period.
(Paper Information)
Paper Title: Electric current-driven heterogeneous microstructures in dual-phase titanium alloys
Authors: Shaojie Gu†*, Yasuhiro Kimura*, Yi Cui, Yasuyuki Morita*, Sora Isoi, Chang Liu, Xinming Yan, Bingfeng Ju, Huayong Yang, Yuhki Toku†*, Yang Ju†* (†: equal contribution, *: equal correspondence)
Journal: Nature Communications
doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-70561-6
URL: https://rdcu.be/fdb9w
[Details] Press Release (PDF 710KB)
Contact Information:
[Media Inquiries]
Kumamoto University Public Relations Strategy Office
Phone: 096-342-3271
e-mail:sos-koho※jimu.kumamoto-u.ac.jp
[Research Inquiries]
International Research Center for Advanced Magnesium, Kumamoto University
Contact: (Associate Professor) Shaojie Gu
Phone: 096-342-3752
e-mail:shaojie.gu※mech.kumamoto-u.ac.jp
(Please replace ※ with @)