The investigator and co-investigator organize a conference on the topic "The Interface between Atomistic and Continuum Theories" under the auspices of the Society for Natural Philosophy. The conference themes address mathematical issues that arise in the development of continuum-level governing equations (balance laws and constitutive equations) for materials based on atomistic considerations. The focuses are on the relationships between the relevant physical principles used at atomic and continuum levels, as well as consistency of the resulting theories. Basic understanding of the characteristics of the theories across different length scales is essential for developing analytical and computational models that are capable of describing a broad range of material behaviors. The speakers invited to participate in the conference are leading researchers in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and engineering. These speakers present their current research on analysis, modeling, and simulations for various material systems. The conferences of Society for Natural Philosophy have a history of being cross-disciplinary endeavors. The works presented at these conferences have embraced a broad spectrum of research topics, with common emphasis on the application of rigorous mathematical analysis to the study of physical systems.
The conference contributes directly to building a solid theoretical foundation for rapidly developing technological areas such as nanotechnology, novel materials, and large-scale material simulations. As many nations are heavily investing in these technological areas, the most significant and lasting developments can only result from progress at fundamental levels. The theme of the conference reflects the current trend of using advanced mathematical tools to address critical problems arising in the modeling of material behavior across widely varying length and time scales. The conference promotes the participation of junior researchers and students, and exposes them to a novel, important, and rapidly expanding area of science and technology.
