Speaker:

Weinan E, Princeton University

Title:

Mathematical theory of solids: From atomic to macroscopic scales

Abstract:

I will give an overview of a program on building a mathematical theory
of crystalline solids, starting from atomistic models.  I will discuss
what the crucial issues are.  I will start by reviewing the geometry
of crystal lattices, the quantum as well as classical atomistic models
of solids.  I will then focus on a few selected problems: (1) The
crystallization problem -- why the ground states of solids are
crystals and which crystal structure do they select?  (2) stability of
crystals; (3) instability of crystals; (4) the generalized
Peierls-Nabarro model for defects in crsytals.