The first lecture of VIASM Lecture Series in Applied Mathematics (LSAM) - "Interfaces and hysteresis in solid phase transformations" - given by Prof. Sir John Ball (Oxford University, UK) has started at VIASM on August 23, 2016.

The Lecture Series aims at training and promoting the applications of mathematics in other sciences as well as in various issues in society. Viet Capital Bank has committed in sponsoring the Series.

Many alloys undergo phase transformations involving a change of shape of the underlying crystal lattice at a critical temperature. In order for  such a phase transformation to take place, the product phase needs to be able to form a microstructure that is geometrically compatible with the parent phase.   Lack of compatibility induces hysteresis, while special properties of the transformation strain allow increased geometric possibilities and thus lower hysteresis. The lectures will describe the underlying nonlinear elasticity theory and  the connection of the analysis of microstructure with deep unsolved problems of the calculus of variations.   They will explain how the mathematical study of compatibility has led to the recent discovery of new kinds of interfaces between phases and spectacular new ultra-low hysteresis materials.

Sir John Ball is Sedleian Professor of Natural Philosophy at the University of Oxford. He was the President of the International Mathematical Union from 2003–06 and a Fellow of Queen's College, Oxford. He was educated at the University of Cambridge and Sussex University, and prior to taking up his Oxford post was a professor of mathematics at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.

Sir John Ball's research interests include elasticity, the calculus of variations, and infinite-dimensional dynamical systems. He was knighted in the New Year Honours list for 2006 "for services to Science". He is a member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters and a fellow of the American Mathematical Society.

He was a member of the first Abel Prize in 2002 and for the Fields Medal in 1998. From 1996 - 1998 he was president of the London Mathematical Society, and from 2003 - 2006 he was president of the International Mathematical Union, IMU.

Sir John Ball's lecture at VIASM attracted 120 participants who are researchers, lecturers and students from various institutes and colleges in Vietnam.

Sir John Ball also gave a lecture at Hue University of Sciences (Hue City) in August 15, 2016 and he will give a lecture at VIASM Annual Meeting 2016 (in August 27, 2016).