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Ian M. Robertson
Donald B. Willett Professor of Engineering, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
Office 408B Materials Science and Engineering Building
Telephone 217-333-6776 Fax 217-333-2736
Mail Address Department of Materials Science and Engineering
1304 W. Green St., Urbana, IL 61801
My research program focuses on understanding the basic processes controlling the mechanical response of materials exposed to extreme conditions. Particular programs include the mechanisms of strain transfer across interfaces, dynamics of deformation and fracture in aggressive and non-aggressive environments, superplasticity, deformation mechanisms under extreme conditions and deformation in nanograined materials. A common theme among these areas is that the experiments are performed in situ in the transmission electron microscope. This approach provides information in real time at high spatial and temporal resolution. Molecular dynamics computer simulations are used to provide insight at the atomistic level to the dynamic interaction of dislocations with obstacles. This information is then used as the foundation for developing predictive plasticity models.