I am now going to model a sample with metallic glass (Cu-Zr-Ti) under stress and temperature loads. I wonder whether there is some existing database to find material properties, in particular, the creep properties with respect to temperature and stresses. Then I can use these data as input for a FE analysis.

Thank you very much!

Last time, when I saw one blog of Biswajit Banerjee, I thought it would be much more convenient if we can input some equations in iMechanica for discussion. When I make discussion about mechanics with colleagues, I would like to write down some equations on the blackboard or paper. For discussion based on the web blog, LaTeX equations will be helpful. And it would be better if one can input equations directly instead of uploading one picture after another.

The 8th International Symposium on Fusion Nuclear Technology (ISFNT-8) will be held in Heidelberg, Germany, from 30th September to 5th October, 2007.

 The Symposium  will focus on all technical aspects of fusion nuclear technology (FNT) and other related disciplines...

Topics:

1. First Wall Technology and High Heat Flux Components
2. Blanket Technology
3. Fuel Cycle and Tritium Processing
4. Material Engineering for FNT
5. Vacuum Vessel
6. Nuclear System Design and Reactor Studies
7. Safety Issues and Waste Management
8. Models and Experiments for FNT
9. Repair and Maintenance
10. Burning Plasma Control and Operation
11. Inertial Confinement Fusion Studies and Technologies
12. FNT Contributions to other Fields of Science and Technology
    
    

ICFRM is the major international conference for exchanging and archiving knowledge on the development of materials for both near and long-term fusion energy systems. It assembles the world community to present their results on research, development, and deployment of materials for fusion devices. The scope of the conference ranges from fundamental materials science to in-service materials performance, and is delivered in a mix of invited and contributed oral and poster presentations.

More than fifty years ago, people realized that we can use fusion for energy, but the problem remains where and how to keep a plasma of 100 million degrees centigrade.

For TOKAMAK, one of the approaches to use the fusion power, now comes the news: "On 21 November, Ministers from the seven ITER Parties came together to sign the agreement to establish the international Organization that will implement ITER."

Around 10 billion EURO will spent on this international project. The most amazing thing is that scientists and engineerers from different countries (7 parties, more specifically) can work together to sovle one of the most urgent problems of mankind.

Material issues are much important as long as the engineering are concerned, in fusion research. How these materials behave under not only high temperature (i.e. mismatch between different stuctures/parts), but also the irradiation effects of materials (about one or two magnitude from the one of fission reactor).

Then, what can mechanicians do in fusion research?