Background and motivation: The generic phenomenon of phase transformation underlies a variety of intriguing material behaviors that include (i) the superelasticity of shape-memory alloys, (ii) the mechanically-driven formation and evolution of complex microstructures in shape-memory alloys and ferroelectrics, and (iii) lithiation of (i.e., the insertion of lithium into) silicon electrodes in Li-ion batteries.
With the variety of material behaviors governed by phase transformation comes a wide range of applications. For instance, the superelasticity of shape-memory alloys, which emanates from a displacive (martensitic) phase transformation, finds applications in mechanical dampers (for earthquake-resistant buildings and anti-vibration devices in vehicles and jet engines) and in biomedical components (as self-expanding devices). Further, the evolution of microstructure in metallic alloys, which is often governed by a diffusive phase transformation, is at the core of a spectrum of industrial processes such as casting, additive manufacturing, and other thermomechanical treatments aimed at optimizing material properties through a target microstructure. Finally, recent technological advances and research on Li-ion batteries have brought a particular interest in silicon electrodes, which during the functioning of such batteries undergo a phase transformation which is governed by the interplay between the diffusion of lithium and the mechanical stresses inside the solid electrode.
