Grant: Canada Research Chairs

Practical engineering materials like metals are complex, inhomogeneous collections of crystals or grains. These grains have different behaviors dependent on orientation and surroundings. While for practical applications (e.g. design of automotive parts) a materials response under stress is often estimated ignoring these effects, many behavioural aspects cannot be understood without considering the inherently inhomogeneous local characteristics. My research looks at the influence of local inhomogeneity and resulting internal stress on materials deformation and the processes occurring under stress and temperature fluctuations. The research has an impact on understanding deformation and on the development of practical engineering techniques and component design.