Argonne, PNNL Team Wins Howe Medal for Alloy Research
Researchers were honored for using X-rays to watch aluminum alloys solidify and refining them with ultrasound.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Materials Science
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Argonne and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory researchers received ASM International's Henry Marion Howe Medal for real-time research on aluminum alloy solidification. They used X-rays to monitor molten alloys as they cooled while applying ultrasonic energy.
Why it matters
The technique produces tougher, more ductile aluminum and could improve use of recycled aluminum. Researchers say it can be used immediately to make light-metal alloys containing more recycled material.
The team's ultrasonic technique was measured against conventional solidification, and the research was estimated to save 30-40 years before reaching application. The source does not provide specific mechanical test figures beyond describing the alloy as tougher and more ductile.
The players
Argonne National Laboratory
A U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory near Chicago that conducts multidisciplinary scientific research.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
A Department of Energy national laboratory in Richland, Washington, known for research in energy, national security and materials science.
The details
Using the Advanced Photon Source beamline, the team observed molten aluminum alloys solidifying in real time while applying ultrasonic energy. The X-ray data helped determine the temperatures at which ultrasound should be applied as the alloy cooled.
Timeline
The medal announcement and Argonne article were published on November 2, 2026.
Big Picture
The research was funded through the Lightweight Metals Core Program of the Department of Energy's Transportation Technologies Office. The work extends that program's goal of developing lighter, recyclable metals for transportation use.
Manufacturers making light-metal alloys could incorporate more recycled aluminum sooner using this technique. Consumers may eventually see lighter vehicle and aerospace components as a result, though the source does not give a timeline.
The takeaway
Turning research on recycled aluminum into usable alloys could strengthen domestic supply chains. Readers interested in the field can follow materials science developments as the technique moves toward commercial use.
Further reading
For more on the underlying science, explore Materials Science coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Argonne National Laboratory.
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