Title: Simulating grain boundary motion in polycrystals

Abstract: A polycrystalline material consists of many crystallites
called grains that are differentiated by their varying
orientation. These materials are very common, including most metals
and ceramics. The properties of the network of grains making up these
materials influence macroscale properties, such as strength and
conductivity. Hence, understanding the statistics of the grain network
and how it evolves under manufacturing processes (such as heat
treatment) is of great technological interest. I'll describe some new
numerical algorithms, developed jointly with Matt Elsey and Peter
Smereka, for carrying out large scale simulations of this important
phenomenon.