Preface for focus issue on uncertainty quantification in materials modeling

Abstract

This focus issue is motivated by the growing demand for rigorous uncertainty quantification (UQ) in materials modeling, which is driven by the need to use these tools, in conjunction with experiments, to support decision making in materials design, development, and deployment. Traditionally, predictive materials modeling has focused on gaining qualitative insight into the range of mechanisms that control material behavior and how those mechanisms interact to govern material properties and processes. In that context, quantitative evaluation of modeling uncertainty was not a priority. As materials modeling advances, there is increased impetus to employ it in the context of materials design and qualification. This trend is manifested in the establishment of integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) as a growing sub-discipline, as well as by initiatives such as the materials genome in the USA and similar efforts around the globe. Current practice and future needs are described in several recent reports including NASA's Vision 2040: A Roadmap for Integrated, Multiscale Modeling and Simulation of Materials and Systems. Invariably, these studies point out the need for the field to embrace the challenge of UQ.