When we topologically classify the defects in ordered media, we consider the character of the fundamental group of the associated order parameter space. To construct those groups, we circumscribe the line defects by circles and the point defects by spheres.
My question is what is done for a surface (possibly infinite) defect, say domain walls. My query primary concerns crystal lattices. I want to characterize the essential defects in solid crystals--for dislocation and interstitial/vacancy, it is straightforward. But what to be done in case of grain/phase boundary?

Fractography is the study of features examined on fracture surfaces and has historically been investigated via Microscope or SEM. Microscope being used for macro scale analysis and SEM particularly when it is the nano or microstructure that is vital to the analysis. Both ultimately allowing for the identification of the fracture mechanism type. Although effective, the Microscope clearly has its limitations and the SEM in most cases, other than atomic level analysis, is unpractical for fracture surface measurement and lacks broad use.

The ability of a material to resist cracking, or fracture, has been vital to the studies of fracture mechanics. Until recently the study of fracture toughness has been analyzed at a macro range using powerful instrumentation applied to large samples.

INM – Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Saarbrücken, is a basic and applied research institute in transition to new scientific fields. It has approximately 180 employees, excellent research equipment, and is well supported by public and third-party funding. Its traditional focus is chemical nanotechnology, where the institute holds key patents and has close international links to industry. Under new leadership, this focus is now expanding to include promising novel aspects of materials science, physics and biology.

In this Tech Brief, we present two interesting fluid-structure interaction problems involving adaptive meshing and physical instability

http://www.adina.com/newsgH92.shtml

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering in the College of Engineering at the University of North Texas (UNT) seeks highly qualified applicants for a postdoctoral researcher position in computational materials modeling. The successful candidate will work on multiscale modeling of defects and microstructures (e.g., dislocations, grain boundaries, etc), and damage and failure of materials to design and evaluate advanced superalloys for aerospace applications, as part of the federally-funded research program in the Institute for Science and Engineering Simulation (ISES).

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