Speaker:Claudio Torres, George Mason University
Title: Modeling materials coarsening: insights from a vertex code

Abstract: Polycrystalline materials are extremely important for modern technological applications. Yet, understanding their behavior during coarsening remains a challenge, as none of the existing models are able to capture all of the statistical properties generated by experiments. One commonly used 2D model of microstructure evolution (vertex model) represents a grain boundary network by a collection of straight lines meeting at triple junctions. In this study we will investigate numerical and analytical features of this class of models and reveal sensitivities of their predictions to various modeling and numerical characteristics. The results will be put in detailed comparison with curvature-driven growth, level set models as well as experimental data.

Time: Friday, March 8, 2013, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Place: Planetary Hall (formerly S & T I), Room 242

Department of Mathematical Sciences
George Mason University
4400 University Drive, MS 3F2
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
http://math.gmu.edu/
Tel. 703-993-1460, Fax. 703-993-1491