Hiroshima atomic blast residues reveal previously unknown metal alloy

Scientists have discovered a unique metal alloy within the microscopic remains of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The discovery was made by a research team led by geologist Luca Bindi from the University of Florence, with findings published in the journal ‘Science Advances’.

The material was found inside microscopic glassy sand particles, known as ‘hiroshimaite’, located in the bay near Hiroshima. These particles were formed under the extreme conditions of the ‘Little Boy’ detonation, where temperatures exceeded 7,000 degrees Celsius. This intense heat caused metals, soil, and construction materials to vaporize and mix before cooling rapidly.

Through high-resolution analysis of 34 samples, researchers identified a 10-micrometer grain featuring a complex combination of chemical composition and crystalline structure. The alloy contains iron, chromium, silicon, nickel, molybdenum, manganese, and aluminum. Unlike standard industrial steel, this specific grain possesses a highly ordered atomic structure that has never been observed in nature or industry before.