Method of making nanocrystalline metal flakes and nanocrystalline flakes made therefrom

Abstract

A method of producing flakes containing nanostructures from a part made of a material. The method includes subjecting the part made of the material to peening by shots driven by ultrasonic energy for a period of time, wherein nanostructures form on the surface of the part and, subsequently, damage to the part caused by continued peening of the part by the shots driven by ultrasonic energy results in separation of flakes containing nanostructures from the part made of the material. Nanocrystalline flakes containing fractured surfaces, microcracks, nanograins and nanolamellae. Sensors comprising nanocrystalline flakes containing fractured surfaces, microcracks, nanograins and nanolamellae.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.