Next-Generation Alloys: Nanostructured Metals, Complex Steels, and Multi-Component Systems

Dear Colleagues,

The landscape of metallic materials is rapidly evolving through innovative approaches to composition design, microstructural engineering, and processing strategies. This Special Issue of Materials focuses on the emerging frontiers of next-generation alloys, encompassing nanostructured metals, complex steels, and multi-component systems that are redefining performance boundaries in engineering applications.

Modern alloy development is characterized by the deliberate manipulation of microstructures across multiple length scales to achieve unprecedented combinations of mechanical, functional, and environmental properties. Nanostructured metals offer exceptional strength-to-weight ratios through grain refinement and architectural control. Complex steels leverage advanced compositions and transformation mechanisms to deliver superior performance in automotive, aerospace, and energy sectors. Multi-component systems, including high-entropy alloys and complex concentrated alloys, challenge traditional metallurgical paradigms by exploring vast compositional spaces that were previously deemed impractical.

This Special Issue aims to showcase cutting-edge research that advances our understanding of structure–property relationships in these advanced metallic systems, while highlighting innovations in processing, characterization, and computational design approaches that enable their practical implementation.

Topics of Interest: We invite submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

Nanostructured Metals

• Severe plastic deformation processing and ultra-fine-grained structures
• Gradient and hierarchical microstructures
• Nanotwin- and nanoprecipitation-strengthening mechanisms
• Additive manufacturing of nanostructured alloys
• Mechanical behavior and deformation mechanisms at nanoscale

Complex Steels

• Advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) with novel compositions
• TRIP/TWIP steels and transformation-induced mechanisms
• High-manganese and high-aluminum steels
• Low-density steels and lightweight steel concepts
• Quenching and partitioning (Q&P) steels
• Complex carbide and intermetallic precipitation systems

Multi-Component Systems

• High-entropy alloys (HEAs) and medium-entropy alloys (MEAs)
• Complex concentrated alloys and multi-principal element alloys
• Refractory high-entropy alloys for extreme environments
• Lightweight multi-component alloys (Al-, Ti-, Mg-based)
• Functional multi-component alloys (magnetic, electronic, catalytic)

Design and Processing Innovation

• Computational alloy design and CALPHAD-based approaches
• Machine learning and AI-driven materials discovery
• Thermomechanical processing optimization
• Novel casting and solidification strategies
• Powder metallurgy and additive manufacturing processes

Advanced Characterization and Modeling

• In situ and 4D microscopy techniques
• Atom probe tomography and advanced analytical methods
• Synchrotron-based characterization
• Multi-scale modeling from atomistic to continuum
• Phase-field modeling of microstructural evolution

Performance and Applications

• Mechanical properties under extreme conditions
• Fatigue and fracture resistance
• Corrosion and oxidation behavior
• Functional properties (magnetic, electrical, thermal)
• Industrial applications and technology transfer

Dr. Saurabh Tiwari
Prof. Dr. Nagireddy Gari Subba Reddy
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.