This award will support collaborative research between Prof. Clifford Truesdell of The Johns Hopkins University and Prof. Gianfranco Capriz of the University of Pisa, Italy. The researchers propose to use techniques and methods of continuum thermodynamics to understand and develop theories of phenomena occurring in complex systems such as liquid crystals and mixtures. The placements of such a medium are determined by not only the displacement and the temperature, but also local parameters. These may be geometrical or kinematical; for example, void fractions in porous media, the optical axis of a liquid crystal, the superfluid velocity in liquid helium. The investigators also intend to look at the foundations of such theories. The researchers have had a long history of productive and deep collaboration in rational mechanics, the U.S. PI being one of the founders of the U.S. school of continuum mechanics. His contributions have had a significant impact in the development of mathematical models of physical phenomena. Both investigators have been unusually successful in attracting young workers to significant problems and promoting better contacts between researchers in the U.S. and Italy. This award will help to continue these activities and thus furthers the objectives of the U.S.-Italy Program.
