Pattern Formation in Cahn-Hilliard-Type Models
Thomas Wanner
George Mason University, Department of Mathematical Sciences
Tuesday, February 17, 2004 15:00-16:00,
NIST North (820), Room 145
Gaithersburg
Tuesday, February 17, 2004 13:00-14:00,
Room 4550
Boulder
Abstract:
Phase separation processes in compound materials can produce intriguing
and complicated patterns. Yet, explaining the formation and the geometry
of these patterns mathematically can be quite challenging. In this talk,
I will concentrate on Cahn-Hilliard-type models for spinodal decomposition
and nucleation in binary and multi-component alloys. I will briefly survey
recent mathematical results on spinodal decomposition, which provide a
basic explanation of the pattern formation process. Methods from
computational topology are then used to further characterize the geometry
of the observed patterns. These methods allow for a quantification of the
morphology differences between deterministic and stochastic models. Time
permitting, I will present numerical results for nucleation in
multi-component alloys.
Speaker Bio:
Thomas Wanner studied mathematics and computer science at the University
of Augsburg, Germany, where he received his Vordiplom (B.S.) in 1989, his
Diplom (M.S.) in 1991, and his Dr.rer.nat. (Ph.D.) in 1993. After holding
postdoctoral positions at the University of Augsburg, Germany, and the
Georgia Institute of Technology, he became an Assistant Professor in the
Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Maryland,
Baltimore County in 1998. Dr. Wanner joined the faculty of George Mason
University in Fall 2002. His research interests include partial
differential equations, stochastic dynamical systems, and pattern
formation phenomena in materials sciences.
Contact: P. M. KetchamNote: Visitors from outside NIST must contact
Robin Bickel; (301) 975-3668;
at least 24 hours in advance.
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