Variational methods in materials sciences
Irene Fonseca · Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE · 1994
The variational study of material instabilities such as phase transitions, the formation of defects in crystalline materials, the onset of microstructure and the development of fractures, has needed new mathematical techniques since the problems involved generally escape the old theories. Some of the analytical progress that has been made recently towards the understanding of these phenomena is outlined.