The focus of this Gordon Research Conference (GRC) is to assess the current state of the art and future challenges in the development and application of quantitative methods for modeling and experimental characterization of the dynamical evolution of metal structures over multiple length and time scales. Invited presentations will cover topics in five main areas: 1. In-situ measurement and modeling approaches for characterizing the evolution of microstructures; 2. Experimental and theoretical investigations of deformation microstructures; 3. The dynamics of phase transformations; 4. Modeling and experimental characterization of irradiation-induced evolution of metal structures; 5. The impact of advances in dynamical modeling and in-situ characterization techniques on the design and optimization of advanced alloy materials for applications ranging from energy generation to transportation. The GRC will be preceded by a Gordon-Kenan Research Seminar (GRS), which will provide a forum for fostering interactions and networking among graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. The GRS provides a mechanism for engaging students in the GRC meeting. NSF funds will be used in to assist graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, young faculty and invited speakers in the form of registration waivers and travel support. Attendees generally come from industry, academia and government and have a variety of technical interests. The organizers target the participation of women and underrepresented groups.
The Gordon Research Conference on PHYSICAL METALLURGY was held at Stonehill College, Easton, Massachusetts, July 31 – August 5, 2011. The Conference was well-attended with 128 participants (attendees list attached). The attendees represented the spectrum of endeavor in this field coming from academia, industry, and government laboratories, both U.S. and foreign scientists, senior researchers, young investigators, and students. Of the 128 attendees, 56 voluntarily responded to a general inquiry regarding ethnicity which appears on our registration forms. Of the 56 respondents, 14% were Minorities – 0% Hispanic, 13% Asian and 2% African American. Approximately 21% of the participants at the 2011 meeting were women. In designing the formal speakers program, emphasis was placed on current unpublished research and discussion of the future target areas in this field. There was a conscious effort to stimulate lively discussion about the key issues in the field today. Time for formal presentations was limited in the interest of group discussions. In order that more scientists could communicate their most recent results, poster presentation time was scheduled. Attached is a copy of the formal schedule and speaker program and the poster program. In addition to these formal interactions, "free time" was scheduled to allow informal discussions. Such discussions are fostering new collaborations and joint efforts in the field. Thank you for your support of this Conference. As you know, in the interest of promoting the presentation of unpublished and frontier-breaking research, Gordon Research Conferences does not permit publication of meeting proceedings.
