SNP Meeting/IMA PI Conference:
Multiscale Effects in Material
Microstructures and Defects

We are pleased to acknowledge the support of the following institutions:

The Society for Natural Philosophy, founded in 1963 by the late Clifford Truesdell, nourishes specific research aimed at the unity of mathematical and physical science. It seeks to recognize and promote work of high quality. Additional information about the Society is available at http://www.ms.uky.edu/~snp/.

The study of microstructures and defects in a wide class of technologically important materials has, over the past several decades, attracted much interest among applied mathematicians, materials engineers and scientists, mechanicians, and solid-state physicists. Indeed, experimental observations strongly indicate that material microstructures and defects impact on the macroscopic properties of the materials of which they are part and, subsequently, influence the performance and lifetime of various devices made of the materials in question. Examples include point and line defects in liquid crystals, phase interfaces in multiphase solids, domain walls in ferroelectric and ferromagnetic materials, crystallographic texture and grain boundaries in polycrystalline materials, and various defects such as steps and adatoms on crystalline and thin film surfaces.

It is therefore important to acquire a knowledge, both qualitative and quantitative, of how these microstructures and defects influence the properties of materials of which they are part. In this respect, the main challenges have been (i) to develop mathematical models that characterize material microstructures and defects and capture the physics underlying their evolution, and (ii) to bridge models that pertain to phenomena occuring at different length scales. To address the latter issue, mathematicians have developed the methods of homogenization, in relation to, e.g., the characterization of the macroscopic behavior of composites. More recently, advances in the manufacturing of nano-devices have made it necessary to develop novel mathematical tools and to extend the scope of applicability of established techniques to incorporate information derived from atomic-level models into their continuum counterparts.

The goal of this meeting is to bring together mathematicians, engineers, and scientists working on problems related to the multiscale modeling, analysis, and simulation of microstructures and defects in materials. It will provide an opportunity for internationally renowned researchers, recent Ph.D.'s, and advanced graduate students in the areas of mathematics and mechanics of materials to interact, share novel ideas, and possibly initiate new collaborations. More specifically, the objectives of the meeting are:

• to highlight the most recent developments in the modeling, analysis, and computation of the evolution of defects and the characterization of material microstructures,
• to allow for discussions and initiate new collaborations between mathematicians and mechanicians who might otherwise not attend the same conferences, as well as between senior and junior investigators,
• to expose Ph.D. students and postdocs in applied mathematics, mechanics, and materials science and engineering to the forefronts of current research,
• to help shape new directions of research among investigators who share a common interest in the mathematics and mechanics of defects and microstructures.

List of Confirmed Participants

A registration fee of $50 will be charged to help defray the costs of the banquet and of refreshments at coffee breaks. To facilitate planning, all prospective participants are urged to notify Professor Chi-Sing Man (mclxyh@ms.uky.edu) by e-mail, as soon as possible, their intention to attend this meeting. A check of $50, made payable to "University of Kentucky", should be sent to Man (Department of Mathematics, University of Kentucky, 715 Patterson Office Tower, Lexington, KY 40506-0027, USA) by September 10, 2003.

All attendees of this meeting will receive a free one-year membership with the Society for Natural Philosphy.

The Society for Natural Philosophy (SNP), the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), and the University of Kentucky (UK) have pledged funds to support this meeting. Moreover, a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) will ensure the availability of partial support to young researchers. Recent Ph.D.'s and advanced graduate students are strongly encouraged to apply for travel and lodging support. Prospective participants who will have to use their personal funds to attend this meeting are also encouraged to apply for partial support.

This SNP Meeting is co-sponsored by the IMA as an IMA PI Conference. Faculty members, students, and employees of IMA Participating Institutions are eligible to apply for travel support from the IMA PI funds of their home institution. Those interested should direct enquiries to the IMA representative of their home institution.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hyatt Regency Lexington (phone: +1-859-253-1234; fax: +1-859-233-7974), where the banquet on Saturday evening and the Sunday morning session will take place. A home football game of the University of Kentucky is scheduled on Saturday evening (September 27) in a stadium that holds more than 67,000 spectators. The hotels and motels in Lexington will be fully booked during the weekend of the meeting. We strongly encourage participants to make hotel reservations as soon as possible. When making reservation at the Hyatt, please mention the group code G-SNP and ask for the UK rate ($89/night + tax).

The Hyatt runs hourly shuttles between the hotel and the Lexington Blue Grass Airport. The shuttles are scheduled to depart from the airport on the hour. On arrival you may also call the hotel for pick up from a phone booth in the baggage claim area.