Multiscale Modeling and Characterization of Materials
Advances in nanotechnology and the rapid decrease in size of electronic components, micromechanical devices, sensors and coatings, have brought about the need for multiscale models, i.e., the models that bridge length and time scales associated with relevant physical processes, as well the ability to perform multiscale characterization of a material, i.e., to characterize the structure and its evolution with deformation on different scales.
Such modeling and characterization efforts usually demand unification of hitherto separate specialist knowledge and expertise areas of science and engineering – an interdisciplinary approach, as well as a massive computational power and cutting edge characterization tools.
Multiscale problems are ubiquitous in a number of research areas. Nano- and micro-structured materials, multi-layers, large organic molecules, small-scale plasticity, and granular materials are only some of the examples where a multiscale approach is required to fully understand the performance of the material. Simply stated, a multiscale problem is such that the fine-scale model associated with the problem is computationally intractable, while the coarse-scale model is much too coarse to reveal the underlying physical mechanisms.
Rational design of material microstructure requires reliable and accurate predictive models, which in turn require understanding of the collective behavior of interacting elements of the micro- or nano-structure. The resulting models must often span several length and time scales, as well as unify dissimilar mathematical structures. Multiscale models, on the other hand, require a starting point – a well-characterized micro- or nano-structure, and should be validated by use of experimental benchmarks, i.e., microscopic and mesoscopic characterization.
We envision strong future growth in the areas of multiscale modeling and multiscale characterization, within the MME and CEA and through collaboration with the College of Sciences, in support to the WSU Strategic Research Focus Areas: Materials Science and Engineering, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology.
The MME core of the forum includes the following faculty: S. D. Antolovich, D. F. Bahr, J-L. Ding, I. Dutta, P. Dutta, D. P. Field, K. Lynn, S. Medyanik, S. Dj. Mesarovic, J. Panchal, L.V. Smith, H. M. Zbib, and K. Zhong. Their combined expertise spans the broad spectrum of problems in thermo-mechanics of materials.
External members of the forum are: J.T. Dickinson (Physics), N. Abu-Lail (Chem. Eng.), A. Pancheko (Mathematics) [tentatively, to be confirmed: A. Clarke (Chemistry), M. Osman (EE), and, B. Muhunthan (Civil)]
W. M. Keck Bio-Medical Materials Research Laboratory
Objectives: To establish a Bio-medical Materials Research Laboratory (BMRL) to focus on revolutionary approaches to design and manufacture of structures for skeletal disorders and implants.
Uniqueness & Innovation: Direct Laser processing and induction plasma spray processing facilities are being developed for fabrication of nanoscale powders to coatings to bulk structures of metallic and ceramic materials for biomedical applications. Innovation stems from design and fabrication of novel materials for a variety of applications with special emphasis on biomedical needs.
Principal Investigators: Amit Bandyopadhyay, Susmita Bose, Howard Hosick
Partners: WSU School of Biological Sciences Professor, Howard Hosick
Funding Agency: W. M. Keck Foundation