Collaborative research: coupled explicit thermodynamics of plasticity - an innovative model for twinning crystals

The University of California, Santa Barbara will receive $311,025 under a three-year Project Grant from the National Science Foundation Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation. The grant funds a research collaboration titled "Collaborative Research: Coupled Explicit Thermodynamics of Plasticity - An Innovative Model for Twinning Crystals" from August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2024.

The research aims to develop an innovative model for twinning crystals under the NSF's Engineering program (CFDA #47.041). This program supports fundamental research and education projects that advance the frontiers of engineering. The University will conduct fundamental research to better understand the thermodynamic behavior of plastics during crystal twinning, with the goal of improving engineering design and performance analysis of materials that undergo this deformation process. Insights from this research could enable new material designs with enhanced or tailored properties.