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NERSC Initiative for Scientific Exploration (NISE) 2011 Awards

Three Dimensional Models for Martensitic Phase Transformations

Benson Muite, University of Michigan

NISE project m1116

NISE Award: 200,000 Hours
Award Date: March 2011

We propose to build and test a model for nonlinear solid continua used in shape memory alloys (smart materials). Smart materials are used in among other places actuators, eye glass frames, disk drive arms, and in other electromagnetical devices. At present there are no good models for the dynamic behavior of these materials. We would like to change this.

We would like to build and test a three dimensional pseudospectral code for martensitic phase transformations. In two dimensions, we have already found and explained interesting features not captured by other models. To perform three dimensional simulations, we need in excess of 6144^3 grid points and memory requirements necessitate the use of a supercomputer along with data storage and visualization facilities such as those provided by NERSC.