Masterclasses

SCCM 2025: 24th International Conference on the Science of Compression in Condensed Matter

June 22-27, 2025 • Washington, DC • Venue: Washington Hilton Hotel

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Masterclasses for SCCM 2025

We are pleased to announce a selection of Masterclasses for the upcoming SCCM 2025 Conference. Join leading scientists, engineers, students, and industry professionals at the WASHINGTON HILTON in WASHINGTON DC, 22-27 June 2025.

Many attendees will have significant experience in research in either dynamic or static compression areas. Some will have experience relevant to both.

A series of Masterclasses have been arranged: to help early career attendees have a deeper understanding of aspects of this area, to help experienced researchers update themselves in some topics and to introduce newer topic to the wider community.

These take the form of 1 ½ to 2 ½ hour themed sessions. They occur in PARALLEL to the main programme and are timetabled to avoid clashing with thematically relevant sessions.

We have classed the Masterclasses at three levels: Fundamental – aimed to introduce key ideas and methods to people relatively new to a subject area, Discussion – to provide some background but highlight new and active topics in this area and finally, Expert – where a subject is presented in deep focus.

If you are interested in the topic you will find something of interest, no matter what the target level of the Masterclass is.

You tutors are all published experts in the area and, just like you, are attending this conference to present research but they have decided to put aside some of their time to provide you with an opportunity to experience their interests and enthusiasm.

The room size is limited to 50 people, so please register in advance. OR you can simply turn up the appropriate time – preference will be given to those who have registered in advance BUT we want the maximum number of interested people in the room!

Below we give the name of the masterclass, the lead organiser, the target audience and a brief description.

More information can be obtained by asking Bill Proud and Scott Crockett (SCCM2025@aps.org), if you are unsure of the topic or complexity of the subject. However, please be assured our aim is that everyone learns something new and useful.

With Best Wishes,

SCCM 2025 Chairs

Title

Lead Organiser

Target Level

Course

Introduction to Shock Physics

Prof. John Borg

Fundamental

SHOCK

Data Science for SCCM

Suzanne Ali

Sabrina Wahler

Fundamental

DATA

Mechanical characterization tests for ballistic impact modeling

Sidney Chocron

Discussion

IMPACT

Introduction to Diamond Anvil Cells – theoretical and practical aspects 

Stas Sinogeikin

Fundamental

DAC

Computational methods for materials equations of state development

Dr. Danny Rehn (LANL) and Dr. Burkhard Militzer (UC Berkeley)

Fundamental / Discussion

EOS

Recent developments in advanced synchrotron and optical probes

Stella Chariton, Dongzhou Zhang and Vitali Prakapenka, The University of Chicago.

Fundamental/ Discussion

XRD

Uncertainty Quantification Demystified

Beth Lindquist (LANL), Jason Bernstein (LLNL), Justin Brown (SNL)

Fundamental

UQ

High-Pressure Liquid Diffraction 

Jon Eggert (LLNL),
Chris McGuire (LLNL),
Saransh Singh (LLNL),
Silvia Boccato (UPMC), 
Benedict Heinen (U. of Bristol)

Fundamental/Discussion

LIQUID
XRD

Large scale x-ray facilities and application to studies of matter at extreme static and dynamic conditions

Nenad Velisavljevic 
(LLNL, HPCAT)

Fundamental

FACILITIES

See current listed masterclasses below:

MASTERCLASS:
Title: Computational methods for materials equations of state development

Expected level of knowledge in the area of the attendees: A basic understanding of quantum mechanics and thermodynamics is preferred, but not required.

Description: Equations of state (EOS) are important for a wide variety of applications. The EOS development masterclass will focus on computational approaches for informing on materials EOS, including the use of density functional theory (DFT) methods to calculate materials properties and the use of optimization and uncertainty quantification techniques to fit physics-based materials models to data. The class assumes a basic knowledge of thermodynamics and quantum mechanics, and is intended for advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, and beyond. The masterclass will be divided into two parts: the first discussing DFT methods to generate data, and the second focusing on the use of optimization and uncertainty quantification techniques to fit both DFT and experimental data.  The class will be partly interactive with examples that can be run using Python on a laptop.

Format: There will be two sessions of 1 hour each. Each session will be partly lecture to introduce the basic concepts and partly tutorial.

Masterclass leads: Dr. Felipe Gonzalez (UC Berkeley), Dr. Burkhard Militzer (UC Berkeley) and Dr. Danny Rehn (LANL)


MASTERCLASS:
Title: Mechanical characterization tests for ballistic impact modeling

Expected level of knowledge in the area of the attendees: those looking for updates on techniques and methods of modelling

Description: Computer modelling of ballistic impact, including plastic flow and failure, are challenging because of materials being taken to extreme regimes like large strains, high strain rates, and elevated temperatures and pressures. This class will review the typical testing techniques in the field: MTS, Hopkinson bar, Taylor anvil, and plate impact and how these are used to derive the material parameters needed in the codes.

Format: 90 minutes presentation with discussion

Masterclass leads: Sidney Chocron, Southwest Research Institute


MASTERCLASS:
Title: Recent developments in advanced synchrotron and optical probes 

Expected level of knowledge in the area of the attendees: new to this area or looking for updates on advanced techniques and sophisticated methods of analysis 

Description: Microscopic structures of materials under extreme environments have been a key focus area in high-pressure science, and X-ray diffraction has been the major technique to probe their complex nature at high temperatures and high pressures. We will provide an overview of the GSECARS facilities (Sector 13, APS) and discuss critical requirements for sample preparation, X-ray diffraction data collection, and analysis. We will describe how one can extract valuable information from their data through a few case examples, followed by a Q&A session. Based on our experience with thousands of users coming to our beamlines, we have established several useful tips and tricks that we will share with students, postdocs, and researchers in the field of high-pressure research that might help them avoid pitfalls and utilize their precious beamtime at large facilities more efficiently.

Format: 90 minutes session, 2-3 oral presentations + Q&A.

Masterclass leads: Stella Chariton, Dongzhou Zhang and Vitali Prakapenka, The University of Chicago.


MASTERCLASS:
Title: Introduction to Diamond Anvil Cells – theoretical and practical aspects  

Expected level of knowledge in the area of the attendees: new to this area or have some experience with Diamond Cell work and looking for a broader overview 

Description: For more than six decades Diamond Anvil Cell has been the only device capable of generating static pressure exceeding 1 Megabar = 100 GPa and allowing to study materials structure and properties with X-ray, optical, and a number of other techniques at extreme pressures and temperatures ranging from milli-kelvin to thousands of degrees. The purpose of this masterclass is to give an overview of diamond cells and accessories, and familiarize the participants with both theoretical and practical aspects of the Diamond Cell Work: from various DAC designs and proper choice of the DAC types for various experiments, through DAC and sample preparation, choice of gasket materials, pressure media and pressure sensors, to pressure and temperature control and measurements. The lecture part will be accompanied by practical demonstration of DAC preparation and sample loading.  

Format: 90+ minutes session, 1-2 oral presentations + Demo session + Q&A.

Masterclass leads: Stanislav Sinogeikin, DAC Tools LLC; Stella Chariton and Vitali Prakapenka, The University of Chicago


MASTERCLASS:
Title: An Introduction to Shock Physics

Expected level of knowledge in the area of the attendees: No prior knowledge of shock physics is needed.  This course is designed to start with only an assumption of basic mechanics and material science.

Description: The dynamic behavior of solid materials subjected to blast and impact loads can differ from those subjected to static and quasi-static loading.  Shock Physics is foundational to much of the analysis contained in dynamic material behavior.  This tutorial is designed for scientist and engineers who would benefit from a broad, comprehensive overview of the general theory.  This tutorial introduces the basics of how materials respond to dynamic loading and how to predict the material's response.  

The tutorial will proceed by each student receive a complete set of lecture notes.  By the end of this tutorial the student will be able to: 1.  make approximations of shock strength, pressure, and stress in the materials through impedance matching techniques as a result of blast and impact, 2.  understand the basic importance of strength on a material behavior, and 3.  acquire equation of state data necessary to drive shock problems.  Within each section there are example problems with solutions.  Some of the example problems will be worked out during the tutorial to reenforce important concepts.  In some example problems students will be given some data (some from open-source depositories), in order to illustrate where the basic theories might benefit advanced concepts.  The tutorial culminates in a short introduction to hydrocode analysis.  The KO hydrocode will be made available to students before the workshop so they may follow along with their own PC/Macs.

Format: A two-hour session with a break in the middle.  The students will be given a workbook with tutorial notes, theory, and example problems with solutions.

Masterclass leads: Prof. John Borg, Marquette University


MASTERCLASS:
Title: Uncertainty Quantification Demystified

Expected level of knowledge in the area of the attendees: New to this area. No prior knowledge of statistics is needed. 

Description: This masterclass will provide a shock physics perspective of uncertainty quantification (UQ) and will target people new to this area. From characterizing errors to model fitting, this class will arm you with the modern tools to apply UQ to your own research. The class will be broadly split into 3 parts: 1) an introduction to the basics and key methods in UQ, 2) a survey of more advanced topics and some of the cutting edge research in our field, and 3) an interactive session with practical applications using publicly available data and software.

Format: 90+ minutes session broken into roughly 3 parts.

Masterclass leads: Beth Lindquist (LANL), Jason Bernstein (LLNL), Justin Brown (SNL)


MASTERCLASS:
Title: High-Pressure Liquid Diffraction

Expected level of knowledge in the area of the attendees: Familiarity with the challenges of high-pressure experimental sciences. 

Description: The proliferation of high-flux x-ray beamlines at modern synchrotrons and XFELs has fueled recent advances and interest in determining the high-pressure structure of liquids and glasses. This class will provide an overview and discussion of amorphous and liquid diffraction—focusing on static- and dynamic-compression experiments and analyses. Particular emphasis will be placed on the effects of limited momentum transfer (Q = 2π λ  sinθ), and the accuracy of p, S(Q) and g(r) determinations. The leads of this masterclass have written or modified software to analyze high-pressure liquid diffraction, including the open-source packages Glassure, LiquidDiffract, and Amorpheus.

Format: Lectures, and discussion including an overview of available analysis packages. Our goal is to stimulate discussion about experimental design, analytical methods, and innovative approaches to the study of disordered materials at high pressure.

Masterclass leads: Jon Eggert, Chris McGuire, Saransh Singh (LLNL), Silvia Boccato (UPMC), Benedict Heinen (U. of Bristol)


MASTERCLASS:
Title: Large scale x-ray facilities and application to studies of matter at extreme static and dynamic conditions

Expected level of knowledge in the area of the attendees: No prior knowledge of x-ray sources needed. Course will cover broad overview of x-ray facilities and capabilities, and with goal of introducing new and experienced researchers to the opportunities at x-ray user facilities.

Description: Synchrotron and X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) facilities have become essential diagnostic tools for the high-pressure research community. With numerous state-of-the-art synchrotrons and XFEL facilities already operational or in development, the opportunities for advancing high-pressure research are abundant.

This class offers a general overview of Synchrotron and XFEL light sources and their evolution over the past few years. We will discuss the key parameters critical for studying materials under a wide range of pressure, temperature, and strain rate conditions. Additionally, the class will highlight recent achievements and results derived from light source measurements. Participants will also have the opportunity to discuss emerging opportunities and future directions for advancing the study of matter under extreme conditions using Synchrotron and XFEL facilities.

Format: ~90min. 2-3 oral presentations + Q&A. Presentations will cover following topics:

  • General overview of x-ray sources, with emphasis on large scale Synchrotron and X-ray free- electron laser (XFEL)
  • Areas of static and dynamic high pressure applications, available facilities, and how to get involved
  • Future opportunities
  • Discussion and Q&A

Masterclass leads: Nenad Velisavljevic, LLNL and Director for High Pressure Collaborative Access Team (HPCAT), with co-organizers.



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