EAGER: Cross-Disciplinary Applications of Shell Mechanics

这个探索性研究（EAGER）项目的早期概念资助的目标是创建基于壳力学概念的新方法，以研究许多无机和生物系统的复杂和强烈非线性行为。该研究将通过开发技术模型、详细的数值模拟和在两个不同的试验台进行实验来进行，这两个试验台对工程和生物群落具有重要的基础意义：1)动力系统中的稳定局部结构，以及ii)植物和自然界的模式。系统的行为和功能将通过模拟强烈变形壳的响应来研究。壳力学在模拟这些系统行为中的应用有可能为它们的研究提供独特的工具，同时也探索和突出了壳力学的跨学科应用。计划大力努力将研究成果与教育活动和推广联系起来，在大学一级制定反映跨学科哲学的课程，并对K-12学生进行实际培训。在这种背景下，将创建一个名为“形状科学”的教育网站，将研究成果转化为K-12和大型科学社区。

The objective of this Early-Concept Grant for Exploratory Research (EAGER) project is to create new methodologies based on the concept of shell mechanics to investigate the complex and strongly nonlinear behavior of a number of inorganic and biological systems. The study will be carried out by developing technical models, detailed numerical simulations and experiments in two different testbeds that are of fundamental importance to the engineering and biological communities: i) stable localized structures in dynamical systems, and ii) patterns in plants and nature. The behavior and function of the systems will be studied by modeling the response of strongly deformed shells. The application of shell mechanics in simulating the behavior of these systems has the potential to provide unique tools for their investigation, while also exploring and highlighting the cross-disciplinary applications of shell mechanics.Strong efforts are planned to link the research results to educational activities and outreach, by curriculum development reflecting the interdisciplinary philosophy at the university level and by practical training for K-12 students. In this context, an educational website called "Science of Shapes" will be created to translate research into the K-12 and large science community.