Phase-field models for the evolution of complex structures

Summer school

Peyresq (France), 23 september to 4 october, 2013

Financial support

Main sponsor:

Other sponsors:

Topic

The phase-field method is a compact and elegant tool for the numerical modelling of problems that involve moving boundaries. In recent years, it has been applied to a large variety of subjects, including microstructure evolution in materials (solidification, precipitation, grain growth), multi-phase flows (fingering, droplet coalescence), fracture, soft matter and biophysics (membrane dynamics, vesicles). The key idea of this method is to represent the moving surfaces by an auxiliary field, the phase field, which exhibits a steep but smooth (diffuse) interface. The evolution of this field is governed by equations that can be obtained from the fundamental principles of out-of-equilibrium thermodynamics.

Goal and scope

This school is mainly intended for Ph.D. students and young researchers that already have a first experience with the phase-field method (on any topic) and who wish to deepen their understanding of the fundamentals, and/or wish to see applications in other domains to broaden their knowledge about the possibilities of the method. Complete beginners in phase field can be accepted if they have a strong background in at least one of the following fields: statistical physics, materials science, thermodynamics and phase transitions. The school will last two weeks. In the first week, the focus will be on the fundamentals; in the second week, various applications will be presented. Practical sessions on several numerical examples of model problems will also be offered. Participants will be given an opportunity to present their work by a poster. The lecturers will be available for discussions with the participants during the entire session.

Lecturers and program

The lecturers come from various european countries and have all contributed to new developments on phase-field models and their applications in recent years:

The program of the school.

Practical information

Application and registration

The application for the school is now closed. However, for replacement of cancelled participants, the application form (format: MS Word) is still available. Please fill it in and send it back by email to the address phasefield2013@onera.fr .

The registration is a two-step process:

Further information and inquiries: phasefield2013@onera.fr

Last updated: 23/07/2013