Understanding interfacial behavior of materials via in situ micromechanical characterization
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We present here a series of examples demonstrating how in situ electron microscopy micromechanical characterization can be employed to understand the behavior of individual interfaces that often dictate macroscale mechanical performance. We highlight how careful experimental design enables characterization of targeted interfaces under application-relevant loading conditions, thereby revealing critical mechanical properties and failure mechanisms. To achieve this, we show exemplary testing geometries for studying various deformation and fracture modes in materials relevant to nuclear, aerospace, and energy storage applications. We also propose testing and characterization strategies that may advance the understanding of interfacial failure in functional devices. Taken together, we hope to inspire wider application of these in situ micromechanical approaches as well as the development of novel methodologies for improved scientific insights.
Date Issued
2026-10-28
Date Acceptance
2026-10-05
Citation
MRS Bulletin, 2026
ISSN
0883-7694
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Journal / Book Title
MRS Bulletin
Copyright Statement
© The Author(s) 2026 This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribu tion 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Com mons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated other wise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
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Publication Status
Published online
Date Publish Online
2026-10-28