Solid Mechanics and Materials Engineering (SMME)

The Solid Mechanics and Materials Engineering (SMME) program links the expertise of analytical, computational and experimental solid mechanics and biomechanics with materials and surface engineering to understand, characterize, analyze, design and control the mechanical properties and performance of materials and devices. The program supports research into deformation, fracture, fatigue, friction, wear and corrosion of all types of materials, including composites, nano-structured materials, coatings and surface modification for service under extreme conditions. The program also supports experimental and analytical investigations and simulation modeling of material microstructures and their connections to nano-, meso- and macro-scale structural behavior.

Mechanics and Structures of Materials (MSM)

The Mechanics and Structures of Materials (MSM) program element supports research on computational, theoretical, analytical and experimental solid mechanics, biomechanics, and nanomechanics; model based simulation and constitutive models; and the link of microstructure to nano-, meso- and macro-scale structural behavior. The program also supports experimental and analytical research on deformation, fatigue, and fracture and underlying nano- and micro-structural states and their origin, transformation and evolution.

Surface Engineering and Material Design (SEM)

The Surface Engineering and Material Design (SEM) program element supports generic research on links between microstructure design and control and properties, performance, and engineering of materials and surfaces for novel applications in civil and mechanical systems and components. Research is also included that expands the knowledge base on: the design of materials, coatings, and surface treatments for service under extreme conditions; tribology, corrosion, friction and wear; novel materials solutions for life-cycle design, ecomaterials, nano-technology, and biomedical applications and related model based simulation and computational materials engineering.