Mechanics of Materials

The Mechanics of Materials program supports fundamental research on the behavior of solid materials and respective devices under external actions.?? A diverse and interdisciplinary spectrum of research is supported with emphasis placed on fundamental understanding that i) advances theory, experimental, and/or computational methods in Mechanics of Materials, and/or ii) uses contemporary Mechanics of Materials methods to address modern challenges in material and device mechanics and physics. Proposed research can focus on existing or emerging material systems across time and length scales. Intellectual merit typically includes advances in fundamental understanding of deformation, fracture, fatigue, and contact through constitutive modeling, multiscale and multiphysics analysis, computational methods, or experimental techniques.??Recent interests comprise, but are not limited to:?? contemporary materials including multiphase materials and material systems, soft materials, active materials, low-dimensional materials, phononic/elastic metamaterials, friction, wear;??multiphysics methods, mechanics at the nano, meso and microscale and multiscale integration thereof, as well as approaches incorporating fundamental understanding of physics and chemistry into the continuum-level understanding of the response characteristics of materials and material systems.Broader impacts include, but are not limited to: advancing the relevant application of Mechanics of Materials to problems in new technological domains and engineering practice; increasing awareness of the importance and role of Mechanics of Materials in other scientific communities as well as society in general; impacting graduate education in Mechanics of Materials across the US; strengthening undergraduate and K-12 education in and exposure to Mechanics of Materials; and engaging and encouraging the participation of groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields.Proposers who wish to discuss their proposed research related to the Mechanics of Materials program should discuss it with the Program Director after sending a one-page white paper by email.??