Technical Areas

The SCCM-2017 scientific program consists of plenary, invited, and contributed presentations in the following 15 technical areas and 2 focus topics

1. Detonation and shock-induced chemistry

These sessions discuss the experimental, computational and theoretical analysis of chemical reactions within explosives and other materials following exposure to a shock wave. Topics of interest include the physics and chemistry of detonation, shock initiation, and shock-induced reactions. Materials are to include explosives, energetic and reactive materials, metals, and organic systems, which have been subjected to a shock wave arising from a detonation, explosion, gun, laser, or other source. Length-scales range from atomistic through meso to the continuum scale, and studies that bridge these different length scales are particularly encouraged.

2. Energetic and reactive materials

These sessions are focused on synthesis, characterization and theory/modeling of energetic and reactive materials. In addition to traditional energetic materials, these sessions will highlight a variety of approaches that are being pursued to develop novel energetic materials, including chemical synthesis of high nitrogen compounds, formation of new co-crystals, development of metal clusters, and fabricating engineered materials such as reactive foils.

3. Equations of state

These sessions encompass all aspects, - experimental and theoretical, of the relationship between thermodynamic variables such as pressure, volume, temperature, energy, entropy and their derivatives describing various states of matter at extreme conditions. Submissions on multi-phase equation of state of new materials, extended coverage of phase space, advances in analysis and simulation methods, and new techniques are particularly encouraged.

4. Experimental developments – diagnostics and loading techniques experiment

These sessions cover experimental developments in the production of high energy density states and the diagnosing of material properties of condensed matter systems at elevated pressures and temperatures, particularly under dynamic compression loading. Presentations will discuss advancements in experimental facilities and configurations used to achieve extreme states as well as advances in techniques used to diagnose such states. Examples include spectroscopic methods, velocimetry (ORVIS, VISAR, PDV), novel shock and high pressure facilities, high energy beam diagnostics, time-resolved methods (e.g. Raman, x-ray diffraction and electron microscopy), femtosecond and terahertz methods, and related areas.

5. First-principles and molecular dynamics

These sessions encompass a wide range of simulations related to materials and chemistry under dynamic loading and extreme thermodynamic conditions. They include quantum approaches such as Density Functional Theory calculations, semi-empirical method development and applications, classical molecular dynamics, development of force fields and interatomic potentials for simulation of matter at extreme conditions, simulations of shock-induced dislocations and plasticity in metals and other materials, and atomistic simulation of reactive chemistry including detonation and deflagration.

6. Geophysics and planetary science

The sessions on Geophysics and Planetary Science will encompass presentations in areas relevant to large-scale planetary impacts and conditions approaching those of deep planetary interiors. Presentations that are experimental or computational in nature may highlight new understanding of planetary interiors, dynamics, and origins of planetary systems. This session also encourages presentations on fast deformation of Earth materials, which may provide further insights into failure mechanisms, as well as equations of state and melting of geophysically relevant materials.

7. Grain-scale to continuum modeling

These sessions present and discuss recent ideas and results in analytical, experimental, and numerical aspects of grain scale to continuum modeling related to shock compression of condensed matter. Applications of multiscale modeling and simulation including mesh-free, particle, and other innovative discretization methods in the area of shock compression of condensed matter are challenging due to limitations of existing experimental and computational capabilities. The presentations will focus on innovative multiscale descriptions of shock-wave coupling of strong material deformations with dynamic strength, phase transitions, chemistry, and thermo-mechanical-chemical responses to extreme loading conditions.

8. High energy density physics/warm dense matter
These sessions focus on experimental, theoretical and computational descriptions of extreme material states that lie between condensed matter and high temperature plasma, which are found in the interior of large gas and ice giant planets, as well as on the pathway to inertial confinement fusion (ICF). Presentations describing novel approaches addressing the limits of scientific understanding of the phenomena by which atoms, ions and electrons interact and organize over a range of extreme conditions are particularly sought.

9. Inelastic deformations, fracture, and spall

These sessions encompass state-of-the-art experimental, theoretical, modeling and simulation studies of the dynamic and shock-induced mechanical behavior, damage evolution, and fracture response of materials. Studies of the influence of strain rate, temperature, stress-state, and microstructure on the elastic-plastic response, phase stability, and micro-mechanisms controlling inelastic deformation, damage, and failure are sought. Research addressing the spatial, temporal, and materials aspects of plasticity, damage, and fracture phenomena are particularly encouraged.

10. Materials science

These sessions encompass recent studies on the dynamic behavior of materials. Topics of interest include experimental, theoretical, and modeling efforts directed towards understanding mechanical, physical, and chemical behavior of materials under extreme loading conditions. Work spanning a range of rates and phase space, including research relating the underlying mechanisms of deformation and failure, phase transformations, and chemical reactions correlated with the micro- to continuum-scale of structure, and in-situ investigations of time-dependent materials response are particularly encouraged.

11. Particulate, porous, and composite materials

These sessions will cover recent investigations of dynamic response of particulate, porous and composite materials. Examples of materials include porous/cellular meta-materials, low-dimensional granular systems composed from ductile/brittle particles, three-dimensional granular packings of ductile/brittle particles and solid/solid or solid/porous laminates. Usually these materials are characterized by strongly nonlinear behavior resulting in a stationary shock or solitary wave propagation depending on the duration of the incoming pulse and their meso-structural parameters. Presentations related to tailoring dynamic response using meso-structural design based on analytical and/or numerical modeling coupled with experiments are especially welcomed.

12. Phase transitions

These sessions are focused on the behavior of materials undergoing phase changes due to the influence of pressure, shear and temperature under shock conditions. The scope of topics includes solid-solid, solid-liquid as well as amorphous transitions and can cover a range of spatial and temporal scales and strain rates. Presentations are encouraged which specifically address the fundamental issues surrounding phase transitions, such as, the role of phase transition kinetics, the nature of transformation pathways, and the interplay of phase transitions and deformation processes. Both experimental and modeling presentations are welcomed. Examples could include experiments conducted at lab scale or those using in-situ probes at user facilities; and modeling phase transitions from either atomistic and mesoscale to macroscales.

13. Soft matter

These sessions encompass state-of-the-art experimental, theoretical, and modeling and simulation studies of the dynamic behavior of polymers, biomaterials, and low-impedance materials. These materials exhibit strong effects of strain-rate dependence, non-linear Us-Up Hugoniots, kinetic effects, high-pressure dissociations, phase transitions, and complex microstructures (semi-crystalline, amorphous, crystalline, meso-structured, and multi length-scale). Work including broad understanding of spatial and temporal response to high strain-rates, in situ measurements and, combined experimental/theoretical methods are particularly encouraged.

14. Ballistics studies

These sessions encompass all aspects of ballistics; both experimental and theoretical. Topics include internal, external, and terminal ballistics as well as explosion mechanics. Internal ballistics encompasses projectile launch dynamics including propellant and propulsion dynamics. External ballistics includes flight and trajectory dynamics. Terminal ballistics includes impact, target response including penetration or damage, and post impact dynamics including projectile failure mechanics and spall. Explosion mechanics includes the dynamics of rapid pressurization and post pressurization response including fragmentation. Submissions on advances in analysis and simulation methods, and new experimental techniques are particularly encouraged.

15. Spectroscopy & optical studies

These sessions cover time-resolved optical measurements of matter under extreme conditions. Presentations will discuss developments in various types of spectroscopy: absorption, reflection, Raman, and so forth. Imaging, velocimetry, ranging, and radiation diagnostics based on visible/infrared measurements are also encouraged.

Focus Topics

FT1: Ejecta Physics

This focus topic centers on state-of-the-art experimental, theoretical, modeling and simulations studies to understand ejecta physics. Its goal is to bring together the world's leading experts to review the current modeling and experimental research, as well as a comprehensive scientific and engineering description of ejecta source, transport and conversion. Presentations are sought in ejecta experiments and diagnostics, fundamental and applied numerical methods, and theoretical approaches.

FT2: Uncertainty quantification (UQ) in compressible high-speed flows

This focus topic will present state-of-the art theoretical and computational studies of uncertainty quantification (UQ) in compressible high-speed flows. Its goal is to bring together leading experts to discuss state of the art UQ approaches and their utility in relevant fluid flow systems. Presentations are sought on recent developments in UQ methods and tools, and their demonstration in compressible high-speed flows, including multiphase and reactive flows.