Mathematical Modeling in Materials Science and Engineering
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While it is becoming an accepted fact that some kind of mathematical modeling will be needed to make most research programs complete, there is still considerable ambiguity as to what form this should take and what might be the actual usefulness of such an effort. Among the more seasoned and successful practitioners of this art, clear guidelines have emerged regarding the uses and limitations of the mathematical modeling approach. We seek to illustrate these uses through the successful modeling examples presented by some leading practitioners. Some general principles may be worth repeating as an introduction to this interesting collection of articles. The main purpose of mathematical modeling, similar to most scientific inquiry, is to provide insight and understanding into materials phenomena. Such work is best
undertaken in close symbiotic relationship with experimental studies, ideally conducted in a fully interactive manner, with modeling guiding the experiments and vice versa. Once this understanding is reached, the resultant knowledge may be utilized in many ways, for new process development, process optimization, and process control. One of the attractive features of a wellconducted modeling exercise is that it allows the integration of several distinct phenomena or even disciplines. The materials area, which is perhaps unique in its diversity, involves processing, structure-property relationships, and often needs the integration of atomistic and continuum concepts. The examples cited in this issue of the MRS Bulletin deal with solidification, welding, and microstructural evolution and speak elegantly to this point. Recent developments on the materials scene—the much greater emphasis on environmental issues and the need to produce materials with a full attention to the economic considerations—make such an integration even more important and should lead to a much broader application of mathematical modeling tools. As noted earlier, mathematical modeling covers a very broad area, and the selected samples here represent only a tiny fraction of this vast field. We do not cover systems modeling or econometric modeling (LCA); nor do we cite structural models or molecular dynamics. These are all important fields which, at the very least, we must explicitly acknowledge before turning to the examples described in the following articles. •
MRS Nominating Committee Solicits Candidate Names The MRS Nominating Committee, chaired by Immediate Past President Tom Picraux, is soliciting names of potential candidates for the following offices to be filled in the upcoming 1995 election of officers and councillors: First Vice President (President-Elect), Second Vice President, Treasurer, Councillors. The MRS Nominating Committee invites you to suggest the names of energetic materials scientists and engineers with experience in Society activities and an interest in contributing to the future of MRS. Please send your suggestions by March 4, 1994, to: S. Tom Picraux, Chair, MRS Nominating Committee, Sandia National Laboratories De
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