The alchemists were some of the first scientists of the world, and even if they used to investigate nature, chemistry, metallurgy, physics, medicine, astrology, semiotics, mysticism, spiritualism and art, all as parts of one greater force, they are mostly remembered for trying to transform ordinary metals, like lead, into gold.

A group of scientists at Sandia National Laboratories, led by Tina Nenoff, can be considered the alchemists of modern time, as they have created a radical system of experiments to study the science of creating metal and superalloy nanoparticles.

Pioneers in inorganic synthesis and characterization, modeling, and radiation science, they created lightweight, corrosion-resistant materials with never-before seen properties, which will have almost immediate practical applications.

"What we're doing is taking a completely new approach to thinking about producing superalloy materials," Nenoff says. "We're using radiation to break down the molecular structure of substances and form nanoparticles - a synthetic approach that is flexible and versatile for making large quantities of superalloy nanoparticle compositions that can't be easily created otherwise."

The new materials are exceptionally strong, lightweight and able to withstand extremes that would destroy everyday metals like steel and aluminum and are in great demand in many technological areas.

"The method of radiation we're studying - known as radiolysis - introduces an entirely new area of research into creating alloys and superalloys through nanoparticle synthesis," Nenoff says. "This process holds promise as a universal method of nanoparticle formation. By developing our understanding of the basic material science behind these nanoparticle formations, we'll then be able to expand our research into other aspects of superalloys, like nickel-based alloys."

The most important applications of these superalloys will be found in aircraft and industrial gas turbines, rocket engines, spacecraft, submarines, nuclear reactors, military electric motors and weapons casings etc.