Graduate students and early-career researchers from around the world are gathering at the University of New Mexico for the 2015 Sandia National Laboratories Nonlinear Mechanics and Dynamics Summer Research Institute.

The institute, which is being held at the Manufacturing Training and Technology Center (MTTC) at the UNM Science and Technology Park, brings together technical researchers from various backgrounds with the goal of developing collaborations and making progress toward solving major challenges in the area of joints and interfacial mechanics.

“The Summer Institute on Nonlinear Dynamics is a model for collaboration between Sandia and UNM,” said Zayd Leseman, associate professor of mechanical engineering and one of the organizers of the institute. “UNM’s MTTC is pleased to be housing the institute and accommodating its experimental endeavors with its micro/nanofabrication facilities and laboratories.”

In addition, the Center for Advanced Research Computing (CARC) is supporting the intense computational efforts required for the institute, Leseman said.

“We are fortunate to be working with such an esteemed group of international researchers,” he said.

MTTC is a research center within the School of Engineering. CARC collaborates closely with the School of Engineering.

The institute began June 23 and continues through July 31. After the institute concludes, participants will be able to present their research at the 2015 ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, which will be held Aug. 2-5, in Boston.