3. Multiscale Methods for Lightweight Structure and Material Characterization

The development of novel lightweight material and structural designs has been strongly influenced by considering the interaction between multiple length and time scales within a system. One example is the design of materials for crack resistance on the nanoscale such that their evolution at small scales influences thematerial fracture and fatigue resistance at themacroscale [1–3].Another example is the design of microscale lattice topologies that are being used as “architected materials” which when looked at from a macroscale perspective represent a homogeneous material with specifically designed properties such as increased strength to weight ratio, cooling, and energy absorption [4–6].