Production of Nanostructured Particulate Materials
M4 Sciences is commercializing MAM technology and TriboMAM modulation devices to produce a new class of advanced materials. This advancement will provide an important bridge between the understanding of nanostructured particle formation by MAM and the practical industrial application of this new class of materials.

Purdue CAM has been researching the fundamentals of MAM relative to nanostructured particulate machining, and the application is currently U.S. Patent Pending. This innovative process offers a direct route to production of nanostructured particulates with controlled size and shape while eliminating secondary mechanical comminution processing steps. The photomicrograph shows nanostructured particulate (equal volume particles) formed by MAM in Al6061-T6, including equi-axed, needle, and platelet shapes. High-speed digital imaging of the MAM process for direct production of nanostructured particulates is available for review at: http://roger.ecn.purdue.edu/~tribmat/particulate/index.htm. MAM offers a flexible, scalable, and low-cost method for nanostructured particulate production compared to alternative process routes such as gas phase condensation or cryomilling.

Purdue CAM research has shown that MAM offers significant benefits for the production of particulates, including: (1) extraordinary control of particle size and shape; (2) formation of nanostructured microstructure in metals and alloys by large-strain machining; and (3) production scalability. The MAM process offers increased process capability and control as well as increased production rates compared to other methods such as cryogenic attrition milling and high-energy ball milling processes.