Microstructure and phase transition (The IMA volumes in mathematics and its applications)

This volume contains articles based on recent research and experiments concerning microstructure and phase transition, collected by the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications. The book provides a critique of current progress in some of the powerful new methods introduced to study questions on the behaviour of crystalline solids, as well as recent experimental results. These articles utilize nonlinear theory as a way to understand and control this behaviour. Many potentially relevant technological applications are addressed, including shape memory materials, non-linear dielectrics and ferroelectrics, magnetostrictive materials, composites or other materials fabricated or devised to promote special properties.