Evolution of Metals Structures: Modeling, Characterization and Design

The experimental techniques traditionally used for the characterization of materials have seen significant improvements in spatial and chemical resolution, while the development of fast image acquisition systems have brought revolutionary advances in our ability to probe the temporal dimension real-time. In parallel, progress in theory and numerical algorithms, coupled with continuing developments of larger and faster computers, have extended the size and time scales of computational simulations. Forefront research in Physical Metallurgy increasingly exploits the confluence of experimental and theoretical methods that are able to characterize and represent the same spatial and temporal scales. In this context, the 2011 GRC on Physical Metallurgy will discuss the current state of the art and future challenges in the development and application of quantitative methods for modeling and experimentally characterizing the dynamical evolution of metal structures. Invited presentations will cover topics in five main areas: (i) in-situ measurement and modeling approaches for characterizing the evolution of microstructures, (ii) experimental and theoretical investigations of deformation microstructures, (iii) the dynamics of phase transformations, (iv) modeling and experimental characterization of irradation-induced evolution of metal structures, and (iv) the impact of advances in dynamical modeling and in-situ characterization techniques on the design and optimization of advanced alloy materials for applications ranging from energy generation to transportation. Two poster sessions are planned to augment and expand on these topics. Graduate students and post-docs are encouraged to also attend a 2-day Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) taking place before the GRC (July 30-31).