Group for Extreme Mechanics and Materials Science (GEMMS)

The Group for Extreme Mechanics and Materials Science (GEMMS) aims to develop and apply state-of-the-art computational and experimental techniques to understand, predict, and characterize the properties and behavior of materials under extreme environments.

The computational methods use atomic scale modeling methods (density functional theory, molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo, etc.), mesoscale modeling methods (quasi-coarse-grained dynamics, kinetic Monte Carlo), and machine learning methods to understand and identify fundamental links between the atomic scale structure, chemistry, processes and the behavior, properties, and response of materials observed at macro scales in various environments. The experimental methods use laser shock, diamond anvil compression, and in situ diffraction to test and characterize the behavior and properties of materials and to validate computational methods.

The current projects aim to (a) develop digital twins of experiments to understand the spatial and temporal evolution of microstructure under extremes relevant to materials processing (additive manufacturing), dynamic deformation, high pressures, and high temperatures and (b) design material microstructures to achieve desired properties and performance.