Abstract:

A newly developed spatial averaging (coarse-graining) method which 
provides a systematic relation between the particle level description 
(as obtained e.g., from molecular dynamics simulations or experimental 
particle tracking data) and a corresponding continuum description will 
be presented.  The method provides a basis for numerical tools, which 
can be used to obtain and test constitutive relations for complex and 
nanoscale materials and study their scale dependence. It is also useful 
for the elucidation and characterization of other features of (discrete) 
many-body systems, such as the characterization of inhomogeneities, 
fluctuations and plastic events.  Specific applications to glasses and 
granular materials will demonstrate the power of this method.