Interplay Between Interfacial Patterns, Singular Perturbations and Heterogeneous Medium

YipDMS-1009102研究人员和他的同事研究了材料中的缺陷结构(如相和晶界)与背景非均匀介质之间的相互作用。这种不均一性可能来自内在的原子结构、外部强迫，甚至是数值近似。重点是了解界面的结构和传播。由于材料界面和背景不均匀之间的高度非线性相互作用，出现了许多新的特征，最显著的是图案之间的边界而不是纯相，以及钉扎和去钉扎转变。在数学学科方面，该项目涉及多个尺度共存的奇异摄动问题的齐次化概念。要解决当前环境下的非线性问题，需要超越传统方法的新技术和新解释。该项目研究了模式之间边界的结构和传播，以及脉动波和奇异扰动之间的联系。对离散系统和连续系统进行了分析。该项目是高度跨学科的，并受到来自应用科学，特别是材料科学的问题的良好推动。它将各种物理现象中的严格应用分析、数值模拟和建模结合在一起。它强调多个尺度之间的联系，因为实际材料通常由长度尺度差异很大的结构组成。结果可以更好地理解外力和外部环境的变化如何影响材料的响应行为。这反过来可以导致制造出更坚固、更好的材料。

YipDMS-1009102 The investigator and his colleagues study the interactionbetween the defect structures in materials (such as phase andgrain boundaries) and the background heterogeneous medium. Theheterogeneity can come from intrinsic atomic structures,externally imposed forcing, or even numerical approximations. The emphasis is on understanding the structure and propagation ofinterfaces. Due to the highly nonlinear interaction between thematerials interface and background inhomogeneity, many newfeatures arise, most notably boundaries between patterns insteadof pure phases, and pinning and de-pinning transitions. In termsof mathematical disciplines, the project is related to theconcept of homogenization of singularly perturbed problems inwhich multiple scales coexist. To tackle nonlinear problems asin the current setting, new techniques and interpretations beyondtraditional approaches are required. The project investigatesthe structure and propagation of boundaries between patterns, andthe connection between pulsating waves and singularperturbations. Both the discrete and continuum regimes areanalyzed. The project is highly interdisciplinary and iswell-motivated by problems coming from applied science, inparticular materials science. It brings together rigorousapplied analysis, numerical simulations and modeling in a varietyof physical phenomena. It emphasizes the connections betweenmultiple scales, as practical materials often are composed ofstructures that have greatly different length scales. Resultscan lead to better understanding of how applied forcing andchanges of external environments can affect the behavior ofmaterials responses. This in turn can lead to the manufacturingof stronger and better materials.