This research will advance the state-of-the-art of industrial material removal processes for high-temperature refractory metals through a recently uncovered chemical effect (local embrittlement) in surface plasticity, referred to as Organic Monolayer Embrittlement (OME), arising from nanoscale organic films. It is well known that high-strength metal alloys, e.g., hard steels, are difficult to machine. What is much less well recognized is that relatively soft, refractory metals like tantalum and niobium are equally challenging to cut, grind and comminute, with high forces and surface quality problems, earning them the moniker "gummy." The gummy behavior is due to the high malleability of these metals, with non-homogeneous deformation and intense energy dissipation. This award supports research that seeks to solve the gumminess challenge via scientific understanding of the nanoscale OME phenomenon and its implementation in manufacturing processes. The research project will test the hypothesis that if the gumminess can be eliminated by local embrittlement, using benign organic media that induce a surface stress in the metal, then material removal will occur by fracture, with low forces/energy, improved surface quality and increased productivity. A suite of high-performance chemomechanical manufacturing processes should emerge, advancing refractory metal applications in areas including aerospace, hypersonics, nuclear energy and electronics. Complementing the research is an educat