This paper describes the use of thin film high-throughput experimentation methods for the efficient development of multifunctional materials, using Ni – Ti – X and ferromagnetic shape memory alloys as examples. The thin films were fabricated in the form of binary, ternary, and quaternary materials libraries by special magnetron sputter deposition processes. These materials libraries were subsequently processed and characterized by high-throughput experimentation methods in order to relate compositional information with structural and functional properties. For this, appropriate visualization of the data is necessary. Results show that the martensitically transforming regions in ternary thin films are generally larger than was known from literature. Within these regions, the variation of the functional properties can be mapped with respect to the composition and microstructure, and thus the most suitable materials for applications can be effectively selected.
Versatile high-throughput characterization tools are required for the development of new materials using combinatorial techniques. Here, we describe a modular, high-throughput test stand for the screening of thin-film materials libraries, which can carry out automated electrical, magnetic and magnetoresistance measurements in the temperature range of −40 to 300• C. As a proof of concept, we measured the temperature-dependent resistance of Fe-Pd-Mn ferromagnetic shape-memory alloy materials libraries, revealing reversible martensitic transformations and the associated transformation temperatures. Magneto-optical screening measurements of a materials library identify ferromagnetic samples, whereas resistivity maps support the discovery of new phases. A distance sensor in the same setup allows stress measurements in materials libraries deposited on cantilever arrays. A combination of these methods offers a fast and reliable high-throughput characterization technology for searching for new materials. Using this approach, a composition region has been identified in the Fe-Pd-Mn system that combines ferromagnetism and martensitic transformation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.