Patterns, Defects, and Materials Instabilities

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Explores the mechanisms of spacial and temporal ordering in materials and systems far from thermal equilibrium. Emphasizes theories of self- organization, which are replacing assumptions of chance in studying the origin of structure. The 24 papers include discussions of one- dimensional cellular patterns, kinetic models for defect populations in driven materials, theoretical methods and the current understanding of directional solidification, structural aspects of domain patterns in ceramics and alloys, plastic instabilities and the deformation of metals, the formation of clusters of cavities during irradiation, and localized structures in reaction-diffusion systems. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)