Energy applications from gas turbines to nuclear reactors demand increased operation temperatures for improved efficiencies and performance, alongside supporting deep-decarbonization & hydrogen generation. Advances in materials capability are a key enabling technology for the next-generation low-carbon energy applications needed to address the climate emergency. Metals reinforced by ordered intermetallic precipitates form a potent strategy for the development of high temperature strength alongside damage tolerance, which is central to the success of state-of the-art fcc nickel-based superalloys. Such a strategy is equally of interest within bcc systems, such as W, Ti or Fe, to access increased melting point and low cost/density. However, despite their promise, refractory metal ‘bcc-superalloys’ are yet to be commercialised. Here successes, challenges and opportunities for the nascent materials class of bcc-superalloys will be discussed, including titanium- and tungsten-based [1, 2]. Further, strategies for nanostructured alloys and high entropy alloys (HEAs) [3] will be introduced, with a focus on the ability for nano-scale interfaces to act as sinks for irradiation damage. [1] – http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scriptamat.2017.06.038 [2] – https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmt.2021.101014 [3] – https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2019.01.006
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