Breaking the strength limit: Negative-excess-energy interfaces push Ni alloys toward theoretical strength

The pursuit of metallic materials approaching their theoretical strength has long been hindered by interface instability at the nanoscale. A recent study by Li et al., writing in Science , reveals that introducing coherent interfaces with negative excess energy in Ni–Mo alloys enables sustained strengthening down to sub-nanometer scales. These energetically favorable interfaces achieve near-theoretical strength (∼5 GPa), marking a new paradigm in atomic-scale interface engineering for ultrahigh-performance metals.