Overview of Chapter 4: Mathematical Methods

Abstract

Mathematics is the language of science. In some sense, therefore, this entire Handbook is devoted to “mathematical methods” of materials modeling. What distinguishes the articles in this chapter is the degree of mathematical intensity or sophistication, as well as contributions from the applied mathematics community. Building on its traditional strengths in fluid mechanics, nonlinear dynamics, and numerical methods, applied mathematics has been steadily moving into materials science. The result is a fresh perspective on a wide range of materials problems, including many from other chapters of the Handbook.