Nanomechanical Materials Behavior Committee

Technical Programming

2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Fracture and Deformation Across Length Scales: Celebrating the Legacy of William Gerberich: Organized by Megan Cordill; David Bahr; Nathan Mara; Youxing Chen; Eric Hintsala

William (Bill) Gerberich’s contributions to materials science span decades and encompass a wide range of length scales. During his tenure at the University of Minnesota, he played a pivotal role in advancing the understanding of fracture and deformation mechanisms through innovative approaches, diverse materials, and mentorship of students. Prof. Gerberich was a major force in the fields of nanoindentation, micromechanics, and small-scall deformation, tackling challenges in hydrogen embrittlement, ductile-to-brittle transitions, thin-film delamination, indentation pop-ins, and the deformation of silicon nanospheres. In addition to his research, he was a passionate educator, inspiring students of all levels to explore the fundamentals of fracture, deformation, and the mechanical behavior of materials. This symposium will celebrate TMS Fellow William (Bill) Gerberich’s legacy, who passed away in October 2024 and made seminal contributions to the topical area in his career spanning six decades. It is planned as a 2-day symposium, with 1 day reserved for Gerberich memorial sessions where speakers will be invited by the organizers, and the other day will be featuring talks from contributed abstracts in the topical area of the symposium as joint sessions planned with Mechanical Behavior at the Nanoscale VIII (planned topic “Advanced Indentation Methods”). The planned invited speakers will address the following topics: • Local analysis of stress and strain around crack tips • Fracture and deformation of nanostructured materials (thin films, printed structures, nanocrystalline materials, etc.) • Size effects on fracture and deformation behavior • Advancing indentation techniques (high temperatures, low temperatures, humidity controlled, acoustic emission, high strain rates, mapping, machine learning, etc.) • Interface and grain boundary fracture

2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Mechanical Behavior at the Nanoscale VIII: Organized by Matthew Daly; Douglas Stauffer; Changhong Cao; Frank DelRio; Daniel Kiener; Niaz Abdolrahim; Yu Zou

The mechanical behavior of materials emerges from the aggregate operation of competing deformation mechanisms that initiate at the nanoscale. Small-scale mechanics investigations therefore provide critical insights into the fundamentals of deformation phenomena and form a basis for scaling theories. Additionally, the reduction of organizational scale often enables activation of new deformation mechanisms and mechanical behaviors that are not operational in bulk materials. This symposium will focus on the deformation behavior of nanostructured materials. A wide variety of nanostructured materials are considered within this scope, including low-dimensional and 2D materials, multilayers, nanoarchitectured materials and nanolattices, and nanocrystalline aggregates. Studies that examine size effects and scaling laws, new nanoscale deformation phenomena, emerging methods in nanomechanical characterization, and developments in modeling techniques are welcome. Topics will include: � Size effects on elastic properties, strength, plasticity, fracture mechanisms, strain-induced phase transformations, adhesion, tribology and fatigue behavior in small-volume and low-dimensional systems, including nanopillars, nanowires, nanoparticles, nanostructured fibers, 2D materials, thin films, interface-rich multilayered materials, and nanolattices � New nanoscale deformation and failure phenomena in emerging materials and materials systems including concentrated multi-component solutions (e.g. high entropy alloys), complex alloys, sustainable/lean alloys, 2D materials, nanotwinned materials, and nanoarchitectured systems � Emerging studies in nanomechanics-coupled phenomena including the tailoring of functional properties with size-dependent topologies � Developments in highly resolved methods (SEM, TEM, synchrotron, neutron, etc.) techniques that push the limits of nanomechanical characterization � � Advancing indentation techniques (high temperatures, low temperatures, humidity controlled, acoustic emission, high strain rates, mapping, machine learning, etc.), in conjunction with “Fracture and deformation across length scales: Celebrating the Legacy of William Gerberich” symposium � Studies of nanoscale deformation processes using modeling, simulation, and/or AI/big data approaches and coupling of these techniques to meso/microscale methods

2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Mechanics at the Extremes: Bridging Length-Scales From Nanoscale to Bulk: Organized by Glenn Balbus; Nicolo Della Ventura; Gianna Valentino; Julia P�rstl; Verena Maier-Kiener; J.C. Stinville; Eric Lang; Thomas Edwards; P. Sudharshan Phani

Materials under extreme conditions - such as high strain rates, cryogenic or elevated temperatures, or corrosive environments - exhibit unique and often unexpected mechanical behavior. These environments challenge the limits of material performance, requiring a deeper understanding of deformation mechanisms, failure processes, and microstructural evolution across scales. From the nanoscale, where size and interface-dominated phenomena dictate responses, to the bulk, where gradients, textures, and microstructural defects play a central role, studies of these phenomena are critical for developing materials that can withstand the most demanding environments. This symposium aims to bring together researchers exploring material behavior under single or combined extremes to highlight the interplay between experiments, theory, and simulations. Contributions addressing both fundamental mechanisms and industrially relevant mechanics challenges are particularly encouraged. By bridging insights across scales and conditions, this symposium seeks to build a comprehensive understanding of how materials respond to high strain rates, extreme temperatures, ion irradiation, and electrochemical challenges, paving the way for designing resilient, high-performance materials. Key topics, emphasizing scale-bridging analyses throughout, include, but are not limited to: ● High strain rate behavior: probing materials from the nanoscale to the bulk under dynamic loading ● Cryogenic and high-temperature mechanical responses for applications in aerospace, deep space, and fusion energy systems ● Effects of ion irradiation on nano-to-meso-scale deformation mechanisms and failure processes to facilitate reactor material selection and performance prediction ● Environmentally assisted degradation, including hydrogen embrittlement, stress corrosion cracking, and fatigue in corrosive conditions ● Length scale bridging techniques for probing extreme conditions, such as high strain rate, high temperature, and cryogenic testing ● Computational modeling and simulation of extreme environment behavior, bridging atomic to continuum scales ● Length-scale bridging experimental and/or modeling techniques to link nanoscale mechanisms to bulk properties: understanding the influence of microstructural gradients, textures, and interfaces on performance

2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Nano and Micro Additive Manufacturing: Organized by Rebecca Gallivan; Bosco Yu; Ming Chen; Alain Reiser; Wendy Gu

Additive manufacturing has immense potential for design flexibility and new processing methods from precision, high resolution structures to integration of spatially tailored nano/microscale features in large-scale components. This symposium will focus on techniques, feedstock materials, characterization, predictive simulations, application, and upscaling of additive manufacturing with micro- and nanometer-scale resolution. The properties of printed materials and structures, like photonic, catalytic, electrical, magnetic, thermal, and acoustic properties, mechanical behavior, and lifetime/stability of nano and micro additively manufactured materials are also of high interest in this symposium. The scope includes, but is not limited to, the following areas: • Advances in existing and upcoming AM processes • Characterization of processing-microstructure-property relationships • Upscaling and integration with other processing technologies • Process monitoring • Process modelling and simulation • Microarchitecture-mechanics relationships with an emphasis on nanoscale behavior and size effects • Multi-material printing, functionally graded, and chemically architected materials • Functional metamaterials and metamaterial design • Machine learning and data analysis of the AM processes and materials/structures • Physio-chemical mechanisms underlying small-scale AM processes • Application and implementation of micro- and nano-AM • Investigation of micro- and nano-AM for extreme conditions including high impact, extreme temperatures, radiation, etc.

2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Nanostructured Materials in Extreme Environments IV: Organized by Khalid Hattar; Youxing Chen; Irene Beyerlein; Haiming Wen; Ashley Bucsek; Yue Fan; Trevor Clark; Jennifer Schuler

Applications in critical fields like nuclear, aerospace, and defense often require operation in harsh conditions, characterized by extreme temperatures, intense mechanical stress, rapid strain-rate deformation, corrosive atmospheres, and heavy irradiation. These severe conditions present formidable challenges to the materials used. Nanostructured materials have emerged as a promising solution, offering exceptional properties such as high mechanical strength and superior resistance to irradiation. Their enhanced characteristics make them promising candidates for use in these demanding environments. This classification encompasses ultrafine-grained and nanocrystalline materials, along with nanocomposites, including nanolaminates, and nanoparticle/nanoprecipitation-strengthened materials. However, these materials face challenges due to a tendency towards coarsening or compound formation, driven by the high density of interfaces within them. Thus, it's crucial to develop methods to stabilize these nanostructures. This symposium aims to deepen our understanding of how nanostructured metallic, ceramic, and composite materials behave under extreme conditions. We welcome abstracts on a range of topics related to nanostructured materials, although our interest is not limited to these areas. Materials response in high temperature environment Materials response under high or ultrahigh mechanical load/pressure Materials response under high strain-rate deformation Irradiation-induced microstructure evolution Evolution of mechanical and physical properties under extreme conditions Corrosion, erosion, and/or stress corrosion cracking resistant nanomaterials and coatings Stress corrosion cracking of nanomaterials In-situ characterization of materials response in harsh environments Response in simultaneous and coupled multiple extreme environments Strategies for stabilizing nanostructure in extreme environments Theory and computational modeling of defect generation and interactions with interfaces under harsh environment

MS&T25: Materials Science & Technology: TMS Frontiers of Materials Award Symposium: Harnessing Charged and Chemical Defects for Exceptional Structural and Functional Properties : Organized by Yu Zou

Defects, such as vacancies, dislocations, and grain boundaries, in many ionic and covalent crystals, including semiconductors, can carry charges. These charged defects play essential roles in the mechanical, electrical, optical, thermal, and phase transition properties of these materials. In addition, local chemistry segregation in defects such as solute decoration of dislocations may determine material behavior for both metals and ceramics. These charged and chemical defects offer opportunities to modify material and device properties, locally and globally, via external fields. This emerging field of study provides a novel platform to realize materials, structures, and novel devices. This Frontiers of Materials Award Symposium covers the topics of novel experiments, materials theory, and numerical simulations to realize, characterize, and control charged and chemical defects in a broad range of materials. The scope includes, but is not limited to, the following areas: � Experiments, theories, and simulations on the structures and properties of charged defects � Electro-plasticity, plasto-electricity, and photo-plasticity in both metallic and non-metallic materials � The coupling of mechanical and functional properties due to charged and chemical defects � Quantum effects with dislocations and other defects in a wide range of materials, including diamond and 2D materials � Modifying electronic structures of the defects to tune mechanical properties such as doping � Local chemical segregations in the defects to tune mechanical and functional properties � Grain boundary engineering: manipulating charged and chemical grain boundaries to achieve exceptional material properties in both metallic and non-metallic materials � Dislocation engineering: manipulating dislocation densities and characteristics to achieve exceptional material properties in both metallic and non-metallic materials

2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Additive Manufacturing: Length-Scale Phenomena in Mechanical Response: Organized by Sezer Ozerinc; Yu Zou; Tianyi Chen; Wendy Gu; Eda Aydogan; Keivan Davami

Additive manufacturing offers an unprecedented level of control over the local microstructure of printed parts. Processing parameters and strategies provide a huge design space for fine-tuning the microstructural features and their spatial distribution in the part to achieve optimum mechanical performance. The effective utilization of this design freedom is only possible by gaining insight into the structure-property relationships across the full-length scale. Micromechanical characterization of AM parts is an essential part of this route, helping researchers understand how the microscale mechanical behavior landscape governs the macroscale mechanical behavior. Therefore, this symposium focuses on the small-scale mechanical characterization of materials and structures produced by AM. Investigation of the micromechanical properties of various AM materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites) is of interest, through experimental techniques such as nanoindentation, micropillar compression, microcantilever bending, and nanoscratch testing, as well as modeling, simulation, and data-driven studies to investigate the same. Special emphasis is on probing the mechanical behavior of interfaces, heterogeneities, and gradients, and how these features relate to macroscale properties and failure behavior. Topics will include: • Microstructure-mechanical property relationships of AM materials with an emphasis on micro and nanoscale behavior, and size effects. • High-resolution property mapping through micro/nano-indentation testing, investigation of spatial variations in the builds as well as gradients in multi-material printing. • Mechanical probing of heterogeneities, grain boundaries, interfaces, and gradient structures generated by AM techniques. • Prediction of macroscale mechanical behavior of AM parts by small-scale testing. • In-situ nanomechanical measurements of AM materials and structures in application environments (thermal, electrical, electrochemical, and biological stimuli). • Small-scale fracture, fatigue, creep, and impact response of AM materials/structures and their relation to the macroscale behavior. • Micromechanics-based modeling and simulations to interpret and predict the behavior of AM materials and structures. • Machine learning and data-driven prediction of mechanical behavior by high throughput micromechanical testing.

2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Mechanical Behavior Related to Interface Physics IV: Organized by Stanislav Zak; Nathan Mara; Barbara Putz; Glenn Balbus; Kevin Schmalbach; Youxing Chen

Interfaces constitute a key microstructural variable for tuning materials behavior across a wide range of length scales from nano to macro in single and multiphase systems, including structural and functional materials. The advent of novel multi-phase/multi-interface/composite structures holds great potential for enabling unparalleled performance under coupled extremes. Interfaces often dominate the material response in nanostructured systems and produce unique combinations of properties, ranging from enhanced elastic-plastic material properties through tunable fracture properties to electro/thermal functional properties. A fundamental understanding of interfacial physics and coupled phenomena impacting mechanical behavior is necessary to harness new concepts and methodologies in interface design of novel, multifunctional layered and composite structures. This symposium aims to discuss interface physics that governs mechanical behavior and coupled phenomena in interfacially-driven multifunctionality in both single and multiphase materials and composites. Talks are solicited that cover synthesis, characterization, and modeling of materials with deliberately designed interfaces and material combinations with particular emphasis on new insights into fundamental mechanisms, analysis of defects, and their implications for multifunctional performance. Abstracts on recent developments in mechanical testing techniques (e.g., in situ straining in TEM, micropillar testing, etc.) and in high-fidelity modeling techniques (e.g., ab initio, finite elements, etc.) are also solicited. Topics of interest include, but are not necessarily limited to: • Influence of interface structure and chemistry on deformation mechanisms in single and multiphase nanomaterials/nanocomposites • Mechanical behavior of low dimensional materials (e.g., thin films, nanowires, nanotubes, and nanoparticles) described both experimentally and via modelling • Physics of phase boundaries in multiphase systems, such as crystalline-amorphous composites, nanolaminates, nanoparticle/matrix composites, and nano-porous materials • Mechanical behavior of grain boundary engineered nanomaterials (e.g. solute stabilization, grain boundary complexion formation, duplex and gradient nanostructures) • Micro, meso, and macroscale modeling of deformation processes and coupled phenomena as they relate to interface physics (including multi-scale modelling) • In situ testing methodologies for investigating mechanical behavior and coupled extremes such as mechanical and irradiation of small volumes of material

2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Nano and Micro Additive Manufacturing: Organized by Alain Reiser; Wendy Gu; Yu Zou; Mostafa Hassani; Ming Chen

Additive manufacturing has immense potential for design flexibility and simplified processing for precision, high resolution structures with robust mechanical properties. This symposium will focus on novel techniques, feedstock materials, characterization, and predictive simulations for additive manufacturing of structures with nano to microscale dimensions, as well as bulk structures with tailored internal nano/microscale features. A designated focus will be the description and validation of materials performance, in particular, the mechanical behaviour of manufactured structures. Topics of interest include additive techniques based on (but not limited to) multiphoton lithography, laser or e-beam sintering/melting, cold spray, aerosol deposition, inkjet, electrodeposition and hybrid methods, and material systems including polymers, metals, ceramics, and nanocomposites. The functional properties, mechanical behaviour and lifetime of nano and micro additively manufactured materials and structures are also of high interest in this symposium.

2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Nanostructured Materials in Extreme Environments III: Organized by Youxing Chen; Haiming Wen; Yue Fan; Khalid Hattar; Ashley Bucsek; Jessica Krogstad; Irene Beyerlein; Trevor Clark

Applications in critical fields like nuclear, aerospace, and defense often require operation in harsh conditions, characterized by extreme temperatures, intense mechanical stress, rapid strain-rate deformation, corrosive atmospheres, and heavy irradiation. These severe conditions present formidable challenges to the materials used. Nanostructured materials have emerged as a promising solution, offering exceptional properties such as high mechanical strength and superior resistance to irradiation. Their enhanced characteristics make them promising candidates for use in these demanding environments. This classification encompasses ultrafine-grained and nanocrystalline materials, along with nanocomposites, including nanolaminates, and nanoparticle/nanoprecipitation-strengthened materials. However, these materials face challenges due to a tendency towards coarsening or compound formation, driven by the high density of interfaces within them. Thus, it's crucial to develop methods to stabilize these nanostructures. This symposium aims to deepen our understanding of how nanostructured metallic, ceramic, and composite materials behave under extreme conditions. We welcome abstracts on a range of topics related to nanostructured materials, although our interest is not limited to these areas. • Materials response in high temperature environment • Materials response under high or ultrahigh mechanical load/pressure • Materials response under high strain-rate deformation • Irradiation-induced microstructure evolution • Evolution of mechanical and physical properties under extreme conditions • Corrosion (and/or erosion) resistant nanomaterials and coatings • Stress corrosion cracking of nanomaterials • In-situ characterization of materials response in harsh environments • Response in simultaneous and coupled multiple extreme environments • Strategies for stabilizing nanostructure in extreme environments • Theory and computational modeling of defect generation and interactions with interfaces under harsh environment • Methodological development of modeling tools for materials response in extreme environments

2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Structure-Property Relationships in Molecular Crystal Deformation: Organized by Daniel Bufford; Sushmita Majumder; Paul Ryan; Judith Brown; Nathan Mara; Raimundo Ho

Molecular crystals, solids consisting of individual molecules, rather than just atoms, sitting on ordered lattice sites, find use in applications ranging from pharmaceuticals, energetic materials, battery electrodes, to organic electronics, and may be encountered in exotic environments like the cryogenic conditions of moons, comets, or exoplanets. A vast richness in molecular structures gives rise to a wide range of intermolecular bonding possibilities, which in turn result in crystalline materials with fascinating properties. Bonding and molecule shape often vary with direction within a single crystal, leading to anisotropy in defect structures and behaviors. These factors pose unique challenges to understanding the mechanical properties of these materials, and consequently the understanding of deformation and fracture remains generally less developed than in other classes of materials. However, recent years have seen a substantial increase in both interest and investigations. This symposium aims to capture these recent advances in a venue that brings together investigators from a range of communities: pharmaceuticals, energetic materials, organic electronics, solid mechanics, and any others interested in deformation of these materials. Talks are solicited that discuss the roles of microstructures and defects in the deformation process, from elasticity, to plastic deformation, and on to fracture. Talks are solicited across time scales from quasi-static to shock regimes, and from experimental, theoretical, and computational modeling disciplines. Specific topics of interest include, but are not necessarily limited to: • Predictions of crystal structure and mechanical properties (e.g. elastic constants) • Defect behavior and plasticity under mechanical loading • Crack initiation and propagation • Relationship of single crystal behaviors to bulk processing like milling and compaction • Chemical reactions driven by mechanical deformation

2024 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Additive Manufacturing: Length-Scale Phenomena in Mechanical Response: Organized by Yu Zou; Sezer Ozerinc; Tianyi Chen; Wendy Gu; Eda Aydogan; Meysam Haghshenas

There is growing interest in using additive manufacturing (AM) across multiple industrial sectors that seek to benefit from the possibilities these emerging technologies can offer. AM offers additional degrees of freedom to “architect” the material microstructure across many length scales. Owing to this unique capability, both beam-based processes—such as powder bed fusion (PBF) and directed energy deposition (DED)—as well as non-beam-based processes—such as cold spray, additive friction stir deposition, and ultrasonic additive manufacturing—unlock new opportunities for tailoring mechanical and functional properties of metals and alloys. The microstructures and hence, mechanical properties of AM materials can be tailored locally through careful selection of processing parameters and strategies. Therefore, the characterization of mechanical behavior across the full-length scale is key to developing novel materials and structures, particularly Understanding the macroscale mechanical behavior and properties requires gaining insight into the mechanics at the small scale. This includes the elastic-plastic response, residual stresses, creep and relaxation properties, fracture toughness, and fatigue in local scales in AM materials. This symposium focuses on the mechanical properties of various AM materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, biological/ bio-inspired materials, composites) with an emphasis on length scale effects from experimental, theoretical, modeling, and data science viewpoints. The scope includes, but is not limited to, the following areas: • Microstructure-mechanical property relationships of AM materials with an emphasis on micro and nanoscale behavior and size effects • Location-specific property characterization in AM materials through micro/nano-indentation testing • High-speed micro/nano-indentation mapping of AM materials • Probing of heterogeneous microstructure-property relationships in AM materials/structures through small-scale testing • Full-scale mechanical assessment of AM-built components and experimental geometries powered by micro/nano-mechanical testing • In-situ nanomechanical measurements in application environments (thermal, electrical, electrochemical, and biological stimuli) • Small scale quasi-static tests (tension, compression, bending, and torsional tests) • Small scale fracture, fatigue, creep, and impact tests of AM materials/structures • Nano-scale measurements of strain and stress • Micromechanics-based modeling in additive manufacturing • Machine learning and data analysis of the micromechanical response of the AM materials/structures

2024 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Defects and Interfaces: Modeling and Experiments: Organized by Jian Wang; Amit Misra; Peter Anderson; Blas Uberuaga; Xinghang Zhang

This symposium will focus on modeling, experimental methods, and their integration to understand atomic structures of defects and planar interfaces in crystalline solids, with a focus on the mechanical and physical behavior dominated by defect-interface interactions, including fundamental understanding of non-linear behavior at dislocation cores, interfaces, and crack tips. Response of materials to extreme conditions of high stress, irradiation, and embrittlement (e.g., due to helium, hydrogen, etc.) driven by defects and interfaces will be highlighted. The symposium will be partially a tribute to the memory of TMS Fellow Richard (Dick) G. Hoagland who passed away in September 2022 and made seminal contributions to this topical area in his career spanning nearly six decades. The symposium is planned as 4 sessions (2 days) in Dick’s memory and another 4 sessions (2 days) for more general topics. Symposium topics include, but are not limited to: • Characterization and modeling of atomic structures of dislocations and grain/interphase Boundaries • Characterization and modeling of dislocation-interface interactions • Multiscale characterization of interface-dominated deformation and fracture mechanisms • Multiscale modeling of interface-dominated mechanical behaviors • Nanomechanics

2024 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Mechanical Behavior at the Nanoscale VII: Organized by Matthew Daly; Douglas Stauffer; Wei Gao; Changhong Cao; Daniel Kiener; Sezer Ozerinc; Niaz Abdolrahim; Yu Zou

The mechanical behavior of materials emerges from the aggregate operation of competing deformation mechanisms that initiate at the nanoscale. Small-scale mechanics investigations therefore provide critical insights into the fundamentals of deformation phenomena and form a basis for scaling theories. Additionally, the reduction of organizational scale often enables activation of new deformation mechanisms and mechanical behaviors that are not operational in bulk materials. This symposium will focus on the deformation behavior of nanostructured materials. A wide variety of nanostructured materials are considered within this scope, including low-dimensional and 2D materials, multilayers, nanoarchitectured materials and nanolattices, and bulk nanocrystalline aggregates. Studies that examine size effects and scaling laws, new nanoscale deformation phenomena, emerging methods in nanomechanical characterization, and developments in modeling techniques are welcomed. Topics will include: - Size effects on elastic properties, strength, plasticity, fracture mechanisms, adhesion, tribology and fatigue behavior in small-volume and low-dimensional systems, including nanopillars, nanowires, nanoparticles, nanostructured fibers, 2D materials, thin films, multilayered materials, and nanolattices - New nanoscale deformation and failure phenomena in emerging materials and materials systems including concentrated multi-component solutions (e.g. high entropy alloys), complex alloys, sustainable/lean alloys, 2D materials, nanotwinned materials, and nanoarchitectured systems - Emerging studies in nanomechanics-coupled phenomena including the tailoring of functional properties with size-dependent topologies - Transitions in deformation mechanisms due to scaling effects such as activation of interface-mediated mechanisms, exhaustion of deformation sources, and size effects on strain-induced phase transformations - Developments in ex situ and in situ (SEM, TEM, synchrotron, neutron, etc.) techniques that push the limits of nanomechanical characterization (e.g. for extreme conditions such as high temperatures and/or high strain rates) - Studies of nanoscale deformation processes using modeling, simulation, and/or AI/big data approaches and coupling of these techniques to meso/microscale methods

2024 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Nano and Micro Additive Manufacturing: Organized by Wendy Gu; Mostafa Hassani; Christian Leinenbach; Christoph Eberl

Additive manufacturing has immense potential for design flexibility and simplified processing for precision, high resolution structures with robust mechanical properties. This symposium will focus on novel techniques, feedstock materials, characterization and predictive simulations for additive manufacturing of structures with nano to microscale dimensions, as well as bulk structures with tailored internal nano/microscale features. Topics of interest include additive techniques based on (but not limited to) multiphoton lithography, laser or e-beam sintering/melting, cold spray, aerosol deposition, inkjet, electrodeposition and hybrid methods, material systems including polymers, metals, ceramics, and nanocomposites. The mechanical behavior and lifetime of nano and micro additively manufactured materials and structures are also of interest in this symposium.

2024 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Nanostructured Materials in Extreme Environments II: Organized by Haiming Wen; Youxing Chen; Yue Fan; Khalid Hattar; Ashley Bucsek; Jessica Krogstad; Irene Beyerlein; Zhaoping Lu

Many critically important applications (such as nuclear, aerospace and defense) involve extreme environments where high temperature, high mechanical stress, high strain-rate deformation, corrosive atmosphere and intense irradiation are present. Such extreme environments pose significant challenges to the materials being used. Nanostructured materials, including ultrafine-grained and nanocrystalline materials, nanotwinned metals and alloys, nanolayered materials, nanoparticles or nanoprecipitates strengthened materials, etc., have exhibited many excellent properties like high mechanical strength and superior irradiation resistance and attracted a lot of research. Their improved properties make them promising candidates for applications in extreme environments. In addition, from the aspect of fundamental research, nanostructured materials in harsh environment offer exciting opportunities to investigate how microstructures respond to the environment and how this eventually affects the mechanical and physical properties. However, there are strong driving forces for irreversible processes such as coarsening or compound formation in nanostructured materials due to the existing high density of interfaces in them. Therefore, strategies need to be developed for the stabilization of the nanostructures. This symposium will focus on understanding the unique aspects of the response of nanostructured metallic, ceramic and composite materials in extreme environments. Abstracts are solicited in, but not necessarily limited to, the following areas with respect to nanostructured materials: • Response in high temperature environment • Response under high or ultrahigh mechanical load/pressure • Response under high strain-rate deformation • Irradiation response and defect generation and migration, as well as microstructure evolution during irradiation • Evolution of mechanical and physical properties under extreme conditions • Corrosion (and/or erosion) resistant nanomaterials and coatings • Stress corrosion cracking of nanomaterials • In-situ characterization of materials response in harsh environments • Response in simultaneous and coupled multiple extreme environments • Diffusive and displacive phase transformations in harsh environments • Strategies for stabilizing nanostructure in extreme environments • Theory and computational modeling of defect generation and interactions with interfaces under harsh environment • Methodological development of modeling tools for materials response in extreme environments

2024 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Nix Award and Lecture Symposium V: Organized by Gang Feng; Seung Min Han

This symposium will highlight emerging experimental and computational techniques that are rapidly changing the design process for materials that function in a broad array of thermomechanical environments. New in-situ micromechanical test techniques, rapid property screening approaches and 3D structural probes that provide new mechanistic insights on dislocation dynamics, the role of material structure across lengthscales and the connection to macroscale properties will be featured. The challenges of integrating of multiple, heterogenous, high volume streams of materials data will be discussed. Presentations will highlight new methodologies and workflows that can guide the design of lightweight, high temperature, fatigue resistant and architected materials and structures. This award symposium was established to honor Professor William D. Nix and the tremendous legacy that he has developed and shared with the minerals, metals, and materials community and to highlight and promote continued progress and innovation relevant to research into the underlying mechanisms and mechanical behavior of macro-, micro-, and nanoscale materials. This symposium specifically recognizes Professor Nix’s influential roles in micromechanics of deformation and materials science for more than half a century. Professor Nix’s research and seminal contributions to structural materials, thin films, and nanoscale plasticity have had significant impact on critical U.S. industries, spawned new fields of study, and motivated generations of researchers working in fields that span from aerospace to microelectronics. Breakthroughs in technologies for these critical industries depend heavily on the availability of advanced materials that can be engineered and optimized at the nanoscale. Professor Nix’s groundbreaking contributions have allowed us to characterize, understand, and predict the mechanical behavior and reliability of such materials and have been critical enablers of these key technologies.

MS&T23: Materials Science & Technology: Interface-mediated Phenomena in Structural Materials: Organized by Jian Wang; Nigel Shepherd; Andres Bujanda; Lin Shao

Interface as typical planar defect in solids forms between two spatial regions occupied by different matter or by matter in different physical states. With reducing characteristic dimension of each matter, the density of interfaces increases. Especially nanostructured materials contain much high density of interfaces, and mechanical properties and other functionalities are heavily related to interfaces. An interface may be in thermal equilibrium or non-equilibrium depending on formation conditions. Correspondingly, an interface may possess multiple structures with different compositions, and thus exhibits various thermomechanical properties. Especially for ultra-fine and nanoscale structural materials, tailoring interface complexities has been demonstrated to be a powerful strategy in realizing unusual thermos-mechanical properties and other functionalities of materials. For example, interfacial segregation may change the elastic stress field and local chemical bonding along an interface. Atomic structures, excess free volume, and energy state of the interface consequently impact defect-interface interactions. Tailoring interfacial defects can mediate deformation modes, such as twinning, phase transformation, and dislocations because interfacial defects act as nucleation sources. Of interest in this symposium are experimental and computational studies that probe: i) Interface kinetics associated with the formation and evolution of interface structures and compositions ii) Structures and energetics of characteristic interfaces iii) Interface-dominated phenomena during interface formation iv) Defects-interface interactions v) Interface-mediated deformation mechanisms vi) Interfacial segregation and Interface-assisted precipitation vii) Interface stability (structure and composition) at extreme deformation, high temperature, and ion irradiation

2023 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Additive Manufacturing: Length-Scale Phenomena in Mechanical Response: Organized by Meysam Haghshenas; Andrew Birnbaum; Robert Lancaster; Xinghang Zhang; Aeriel Leonard

There is growing interest in the use of additive manufacturing (AM) across multiple industrial sectors that seek to benefit from the multiple possibilities that these emerging technologies can offer. The microstructures and hence, mechanical properties of AM materials can be tailored locally through careful selection of processing parameters and strategies. Therefore, the characterization of mechanical behaviors across the full-length scale is critical for the fundamental understanding of material behavior. This includes the elastic-plastic response, residual stresses, creep and relaxation properties, fracture toughness, and fatigue in local scales in AM materials. This symposium focuses on the properties of various AM materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, biological/ bio-inspired materials, composites) across multiple length scales from both theoretical/modeling and experimental viewpoints. The scope includes, but is not limited to, the following areas: • Microstructure-mechanical property relationships of AM materials • Location-specific property characterization in AM materials through micro/nano-indentation testing • Full-scale mechanical assessment of AM built components and experimental geometries • In-situ nanomechanical measurements in application environments (thermal, electrical, electrochemical, and biological stimuli) • Small scale quasi-static tests (tension, compression, bending, and torsional tests) • Small scale fatigue, creep, and impact tests • Nano-scale measurements of strain and stress • Micromechanics-based modeling in additive manufacturing

2023 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Deformation Mechanisms, Microstructure Evolution, and Mechanical Properties of Nanoscale Materials: Organized by Niaz Abdolrahim; Matthew Daly; Hesam Askari; Eugen Rabkin; Jeffrey Wheeler; Wendy Gu

Understanding the mechanisms that govern deformation at small length scales provides a basis for exploring new multiscale phenomena that originate at these length scales but bridges to large scales in advanced technological bulk materials. Studying these mechanisms in the context of their unique microstructures and their evolution, will shed light on the effects of size on the macroscopic mechanical strength and deformation mechanisms. This symposium will focus on experimental, theoretical, and computational studies of deformation mechanisms and mechanical properties of small-volume and low-dimensional materials, as well as bulk nanocrystalline aggregates and nanoscale based hierarchical materials. Studies on emerging topics in novel mechanical testing techniques, in situ imaging, diffraction and spectroscopy, high-and low-temperature deformation mechanisms, and mechanical property characterization of materials, as well as recent advances in atomistic and multiscale modeling of nanomaterials are welcome. Topics will include: • Size effects on elastic properties, strength, plasticity, fracture mechanisms, adhesion, tribology and fatigue behavior in small-volume and low-dimensional systems including nanopillars, nanowires, nanoparticles, nanostructured fibers, 2D materials, thin films, multilayered materials, and nanoarchitectured systems • Size effect on deformation- and stress-induced phase transformations • Changes in deformation types or patterns due to changes in scale, changes in density and types of interfaces, as well as evolution of defects • Advancements in ex-situ and in-situ small scale characterization techniques for extreme conditions such as high temperatures, high pressure, and/or high strain rates • Modeling and simulation of deformation processes and mechanical properties at the nanoscale, including coupling to meso/microscale methods

2023 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Nanostructured Materials in Extreme Environments: Organized by Haiming Wen; Nan Li; Youxing Chen; Yue Fan; Niaz Abdolrahim; Khalid Hattar; Ruslan Valiev; Zhaoping Lu

Many critically important applications (such as nuclear, aerospace and defense) involve extreme environments where high temperature, high mechanical stress, high strain-rate deformation, corrosive atmosphere and intense irradiation are present. Such extreme environments pose significant challenges to the materials being used. Nanostructured materials, including ultrafine-grained and nanocrystalline materials, nanotwinned metals and alloys, nanolayered materials, nanoparticles or nanoprecipitates strengthened materials, etc., have exhibited many excellent properties like high mechanical strength and superior irradiation resistance and attracted a lot of research. Their improved properties make them promising candidates for applications in extreme environments. In addition, from the aspect of fundamental research, nanostructured materials in harsh environment offer exciting opportunities to investigate how microstructures respond to the environment and how this eventually affects the mechanical and physical properties. However, there are strong driving forces for irreversible processes such as coarsening or compound formation in nanostructured materials due to the existing high density of interfaces in them. Therefore, strategies need to be developed for the stabilization of the nanostructures. This symposium will focus on understanding the unique aspects of the response of nanostructured metallic, ceramic and composite materials in extreme environments. Abstracts are solicited in, but not necessarily limited to, the following areas with respect to nanostructured materials: • Response in high temperature environment • Irradiation response and defect generation and migration, as well as microstructure evolution during irradiation • Evolution of mechanical and physical properties under extreme conditions • Corrosion (and/or erosion) resistant nanomaterials and coatings • Stress corrosion cracking of nanomaterials • In-situ characterization of materials response in harsh environments • Response in simultaneous and coupled multiple extreme environments • Diffusive and displacive phase transformations in harsh environments • Strategies for stabilizing nanostructure in extreme environments • Theory and computational modeling of defect generation and interactions with interfaces under harsh environment • Methodological development of modeling tools for materials response in extreme environments

2023 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Nix Award and Lecture Symposium: Learning from Nature – From Insight to Sustainable Innovation: Organized by Wendelin Wright; Gang Feng

Bioinspiration and biomimetics are concerned with unraveling the fascinating workings of biological evolution: the resulting robust materials and “device” solutions, arrived at by blind trial and error, usually carry an impressive simplicity and elegance. What’s more, their built-in resource efficiency and sustainability are additional benefits vital for the continued existence of our environment. This symposium will highlight some outstanding examples of lessons learnt from nature, e.g. for contact, robotics, and medicine. It will focus on the science behind them and on how their application are beginning to make a difference in everyday life. This award symposium was established to honor Professor William D. Nix and the tremendous legacy that he has developed and shared with the minerals, metals, and materials community and to highlight and promote continued progress and innovation relevant to research into the underlying mechanisms and mechanical behavior of macro-, micro-, and nanoscale materials. This symposium recognizes Professor Nix’s hallmark of combining model-driven insight with predictive capabilities for achieving elegant materials solutions. Professor Nix’s research and seminal contributions to structural materials, thin films, and nanoscale plasticity have had significant impact on critical U.S. industries, spawned new fields of study, and motivated generations of researchers working in fields that span from aerospace to microelectronics. Breakthroughs in technologies for these critical industries depend heavily on the availability of advanced materials that can be engineered and optimized at the nanoscale. Professor Nix’s groundbreaking contributions have allowed us to characterize, understand, and predict the mechanical behavior and reliability of such materials and have been critical enablers of these key technologies.

2022 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: 30 Years of Nanoindentation with the Oliver-Pharr Method and Beyond: Organized by Verena Maier-Kiener; Benoit Merle; Erik Herbert; Samantha Lawrence; Nigel Jennett

The origin of nanoindentation can be traced to the 1980s with the development of the first instrumented hardness testers providing submicrometer accuracy. However, it took the 1992 seminal publication by W.C. Oliver and G.M. Pharr to effectively launch the field. Their novel data evaluation procedure, later dubbed the “Oliver-Pharr method”, has directly enabled numerous transformative research efforts in a diverse range of fields spanning materials science, geology, biology and medicine. Up to now, it remains indispensable for ensuring the service performance and lifetime of essential small components, such as thin films and coatings, electronic sensors and MEMS. This symposium aims at bringing together the different generations of researchers, as well as the different fields and applications. It will highlight the amazing range of applications and the robustness of the Oliver-Pharr method. A mixture of well-established invited speakers and promising younger researchers will address how everything started, how nanoindentation is currently used, and what the future of small-scale mechanical testing might look like. Topics of interest: • General aspects of nanoindentation including historical background • Nanoindentation in-method development, standardization • New approaches towards data science • Dynamic nanoindentation (CSM, CMX, dynamics….) • Refinements in understanding • Indentation Size Effects • Thermally activated deformation behavior • Extreme testing environments, e.g. high and low temperatures, irradiation, electrochemical or high strain rates • Complex loading conditions, such as cyclic fatigue, fracture testing • In-situ testing in SEM, TEM or synchrotron • Stress-strain measurements, e.g. from spherical nanoindentation • Structural and functional materials; thin films, metals, ceramics, amorphous & crystalline • Soft and viscoelastic materials behavior

2022 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Additive Manufacturing: Nano/Micro-mechanics and Length-scale Phenomena: Organized by Meysam Haghshenas; Robert Lancaster; Andrew Birnbaum; Jordan Weaver; Aeriel Murphy-Leonard

Additive manufacturing technologies enable microstructure and hence, mechanical properties to be tailored locally through careful selection of processing parameters and strategies. The characterization of mechanical properties behavior at both the micro- and nano-scales is critical for the fundamental understanding of relationships between processing, structure, and properties. This includes the elastic-plastic response, residual stresses, creep and relaxation properties, fracture toughness, and fatigue in local scales in additively manufactured materials. This symposium focuses on the properties of various additively manufactured materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, biological/ bio-inspired materials, composites) at small length-scales from both theoretical/modeling and experimental viewpoints. The scope includes, but not limited to, the following areas: • Microstructure-micromechanics relationships of additive manufactured materials • Location-specific property characterization in additive manufacturing through micro/nano-indentation testing • In-situ nanomechanical measurements in application environments (thermal, electrical, electrochemical, and biological stimuli) • Small scale quasi-static tests (tension, compression, bending, and torsional tests) • Small scale fatigue, creep, and impact tests • Nano-scale measurements of strain and stress • Micromechanics-based modeling in additive manufacturing

2022 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Advanced Characterization and Modeling of Nuclear Fuels: Microstructure, Thermo-physical Properties: Organized by David Frazer; Fabiola Cappia; Tsvetoslav Pavlov; Peter Hosemann

Evaluating the evolution of nuclear fuel during reactor operation is essential to foster the scientific understanding of fuel behavior. This can provide the data needed to enhance the burn-up of current fuels, enable the use of new accident tolerant fuel forms and metallic fuels. With this research motivation many research facilities worldwide have developed their ability to characterize fresh and irradiated fuels utilizing advanced electron microscopy and thermal characterization techniques. The application of these techniques has led to fuels being studied before and after service providing new knowledge and ideas to enhance burnup and fuel utilization or investigate new fuel forms. In addition, these tools have been applied to evaluate the movement of fission products and further the understanding of the fuel clad chemical interactions and are now ready to be deployed in other fields of research as well. In parallel, model development and implementation of the data generated with advanced techniques in physics-based models for fuel performance codes is becoming increasingly important, both for current fuel burnup extension and advanced fuel development. This symposium aims to take a closer look at the evolution of the microstructure and thermo-physical properties of nuclear fuels during service, including the interaction region between fuel and cladding. Correspondingly, the synergy with materials modeling in advancing and understanding fuels performance under normal and accident conditions will be considered in the symposium. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: Scanning electron microscopy characterization of nuclear fuels and its associated techniques such as Energy dispersive spectroscopy and Wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Electron backscatter diffraction Transmission electron microscopy characterization of nuclear fuels 3D reconstructions of electron backscatter diffraction or scanning election microscopy images of nuclear fuels Thermo-physical property measurements of both fresh and irradiated nuclear fuels Modeling of nuclear fuel behavior during operation

2022 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Mechanical Behavior at the Nanoscale VI: Organized by Matthew Daly; Douglas Stauffer; Wei Gao; Changhong Cao; Mohsen Asle Zaeem

The mechanical behavior of materials emerges from the aggregate operation of competing deformation mechanisms that initiate at the nanoscale. Small-scale mechanics investigations therefore provide critical insights into the fundamentals of deformation phenomena and form a basis for scaling theories. Additionally, the reduction of organizational scale often yields new deformation mechanisms and mechanical behaviors that are not present in bulk materials. This symposium will focus on the deformation behavior of nanostructured materials. A wide variety of nanostructured materials are considered within this scope including low-dimensional and 2D materials, multilayers, nanoarchitectured materials and nanolattices, and bulk nanocrystalline aggregates. Studies that examine size effects and scaling laws, new nanoscale deformation phenomena, emerging methods in nanomechanical characterization, and developments in modeling techniques are welcomed. Topics will include: • Size effects on elastic properties, strength, plasticity, fracture mechanisms, adhesion, tribology and fatigue behavior in small-volume and low-dimensional systems including nanopillars, nanowires, nanoparticles, nanostructured fibers, 2D materials, thin films, multilayered materials, and nanolattices • New nanoscale deformation phenomena in emerging materials and materials systems including concentrated multi-component solutions (e.g. high entropy alloys), complex alloys, 2D materials, nanotwinned materials, and nanoarchitectured systems • Transitions in deformation mechanisms due to scaling effects such as activation of interface-mediated mechanisms, exhaustion of deformation sources, and size effects on strain-induced phase transformations • Developments in ex situ and in situ (SEM, TEM, synchrotron, neutron, etc.) techniques that push the limits of nanomechanical characterization (e.g. for extreme conditions such as high temperatures and/or high strain rates) • Modeling and simulation of deformation processes and mechanical properties at the nanoscale, including coupling to meso/microscale methods

2022 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Nix Award and Lecture Symposium: Recent Advances in Nanoindentation and Small-Scale Mechanical Testing: Organized by Wendelin Wright; Gang Feng

This symposium will highlight recent advances in nanoindentation and related small-scale mechanical testing methods that have enhanced our fundamental understanding of the deformation mechanisms that underpin the mechanical behavior of macro-, micro-, and nanoscale materials. Presentations will include studies of new testing systems and methods and their application in the study of fundamental processes that control mechanical behavior at the nano- and micro- scales. Efforts to characterize, understand, and predict the mechanical behavior across length scales will be emphasized. This award symposium was established to honor Professor William D. Nix and the tremendous legacy that he has developed and shared with the minerals, metals, and materials community and to highlight and promote continued progress and innovation relevant to research into the underlying mechanisms and mechanical behavior of macro-, micro-, and nanoscale materials. Professor Nix's seminal paper with M.F. Doerner in 1986 set the stage for the development of nanoindentation as a primary enabling tool in this important area of research. Professor Nix’s research and seminal contributions to structural materials, thin films, and nanoscale plasticity have had significant impact on critical U.S. industries, spawned new fields of study, and motivated generations of researchers working in fields that span from aerospace to microelectronics. Breakthroughs in technologies for these critical industries depend heavily on the availability of advanced materials that can be engineered and optimized at the nanoscale. Professor Nix’s groundbreaking contributions have allowed us to characterize, understand, and predict the mechanical behavior and reliability of such materials and have been critical enablers of these key technologies.

2022 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Nix Award and Lecture Symposium: Nanomechanics and Mechanomaterials: Organized by Wendelin Wright; Gang Feng

This symposium will highlight nanomechanics and mechanomaterials that aim to proactively deploy mechanical forces and designed geometries during fabrication to program properties of materials from the nanoscale and up. This is a paradigm shift from conventional mechanics of materials approaches which largely focus on passively describing the behaviors of materials in response to mechanical forces. Presentations will include recent developments of designed materials and structures to achieve targeted mechanical properties and functionalities including strength, toughness, fatigue resistance, lightweight, flexibility, and robust/reversible adhesion among others. This award symposium was established to honor Professor William D. Nix and the tremendous legacy that he has developed and shared with the minerals, metals, and materials community and to highlight and promote continued progress and innovation relevant to research into the underlying mechanisms and mechanical behavior of macro-, micro-, and nanoscale materials. This symposium specifically recognizes Professor Nix’s influential roles at the interface of mechanics and materials science for more than half a century. Professor Nix’s research and seminal contributions to structural materials, thin films, and nanoscale plasticity have had significant impact on critical U.S. industries, spawned new fields of study, and motivated generations of researchers working in fields that span from aerospace to microelectronics. Breakthroughs in technologies for these critical industries depend heavily on the availability of advanced materials that can be engineered and optimized at the nanoscale. Professor Nix’s groundbreaking contributions have allowed us to characterize, understand, and predict the mechanical behavior and reliability of such materials and have been critical enablers of these key technologies.

2021 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: 100 Years and Still Cracking: A Griffith Fracture Symposium: Organized by Megan Cordill; William Gerberich; David Bahr; Christopher Schuh; Daniel Kiener; Neville Moody; Nathan Mara; Erica Lilleodden

While today’s materials scientists know the Griffith criteria and its eventual impact on basic research, many may not be aware on how little impact it initially had on basic and applied research. Particularly, there was little academic instruction, and industry relied on the Charpy V-notch test as a standard. One could tell the impact by examining Timoshenkso’s 1941 book. Here it was mentioned that Griffith admitting that “very fine scratches on glass do not produce a weakening effect was because there were internal defects in the glass with just as high a stress concentration factor.” Following Timoshenko was Nadai’s 1951 book which demonstrated some advances in experimental insight, as electron microscopy and sophisticated test systems for fracture analysis were in their infancy. It was not until the rapid advances in aerospace and aeronuatics in the late 50’s that basic research was able to widely take advantage of the Griffith methodology at large research enterprises and establish the ASTM E-24 fracture toughness standard. While this was largely a response to needing improved aircraft and “deeper” space probes, it provided all engineering and basic science an order of magnitude increase in sophistication. In recognition of the importance of Griffith’s work on the materials community, this symposium will provide researchers the opportunity to provide of fundamental and practical advances in fracture, with a focus on small scales, dynamics, expanded temperature and time, and imaging advances, and to provide historical context to their current work. The subject areas of the symposium include, but are not limited to: • Local analysis of stress and strain around crack tips • Fracture of nanostructured materials (thin films, printed structures, nanocrystalline materials, …) • Size effects on fracture behavior • New developments in fracture testing techniques using coupled in-situ measurements (electrical, optical, mechanical, etc.) or in enhanced environments (high temperatures, humidity controlled, etc.) • Atomistic and finite element modelling of fracture • Brittle fracture in heterogeneous materials • Strategies to avoid brittle fracture • Interface and grain boundary fracture

2021 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Mechanical Behavior of Nuclear Reactor Components: Organized by Clarissa Yablinsky; Assel Aitkaliyeva; Eda Aydogan; Laurent Capolungo; Khalid Hattar; Kayla Yano; Caleb Massey

Current and future generation nuclear reactors require improved structural materials that improve efficiency during in-service conditions, allow for long reactor lifetimes, and increase safety during accidents. Given the increasingly large number of reactor design being considered (e.g. fusion, molten salt, LWRs, etc.), a series of distinct material concepts have been proposed to address these needs. Effects of reactor environments on mechanical behavior will be a key component to predicting strength and performance of materials in the aforementioned circumstances. This symposium aims to take a closer look at the mechanical behavior of reactor components across length scales. With recent advancements and increased use of in-situ techniques, more is known about irradiation effects on strength than ever before. Simultaneously, ex-situ techniques are critical to probe component-sized parts, and validate the use of a material for inclusion within a reactor. Furthermore, synergy with materials modeling is advancing the prediction of material performance under normal and accident conditions, as well as reactor lifetimes. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: • Mechanical behavior testing, including tension, compression, bend, bulge, creep, fatigue, and fracture • Effects of environment on strength, including dose, dose rate, temperature, and corrosion • Hardness testing, including nanohardness and microhardness • Development of microstructure sensitive material strength models • Modeling and simulation of irradiation defect interactions during mechanical testing • Macroscopic component modeling for full scale performance • In-situ mechanical testing, including micromechanical and nanomechanical compression and tension • Novel techniques to probe material strength under reactor conditions

2020 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Mechanical Behavior at the Nanoscale V: Organized by Christopher Weinberger; Megan Cordill; Garritt Tucker; Wendy Gu; Scott Mao; Yu Zou

Understanding the mechanics of materials in small volumes is of fundamental importance because it simultaneously allows for the exploration of new properties at the smallest of length scales as well as provides a basis for understanding multiscale phenomena that originate at these length scales acknowledging an interplay between size and properties. This symposium will focus on the mechanical properties of small-volume and low-dimensional materials, as well as bulk materials that are comprised of or are aggregates of these materials including bulk nanostructured materials and nanoscale based hierarchical materials. Studies that discuss sample size effects, changes in mechanical properties at the nanoscale, applications of nanoscale mechanical testing and the associated characterization, as well as modeling that addresses the mechanical properties of these materials are welcome. Properties of interest include, but are not limited to: elasticity, strength, plastic flow, fatigue, and fracture. Topics will include: •Size effects on elasticity, strength, plastic flow, fracture and fatigue in low dimensional materials including nanopillars, nanowires, nanoparticles, thin films, multilayered materials, graded materials, and architecture-designed materials. •Changes in deformation types or patterns due to changes in scale including those due to size affected phase transformations, changes in density and types of interfaces, as well as available deformation sources. •Nanomechanical testing of emerging materials, including high-entropy alloys, complex metallic alloys, nano-twinned metals, for understanding their bulk properties. •Ex-situ and in-situ (SEM, TEM, XRD, neutron, etc.) mechanical characterization methods. •Modeling and simulation at all scales, as well as coupled scale modeling, of mechanical behavior of nanostructured materials