Composite materials are widely used in industry and include such well known examples as superconductors and optical fibers. However, modeling these materials is difficult, since they often has different properties at different points. The mathematical theory of homogenization is designed to handle this problem. The theory uses an idealized homogenous material to model a real composite while taking into account the microscopic structure. This introduction to homogenization theory develops the natural framework of the theory with four chapters on variational methods for partial differential equations. It then discusses the homogenization of several kinds of second-order boundary value problems. It devotes separate chapters to the classical examples of stead and non-steady heat equations, the wave equation, and the linearized system of elasticity. It includes numerous illustrations and examples.

This is the first book on the subject of the periodic unfolding method (originally called "eclatement periodique" in French), which was originally developed to clarify and simplify many questions arising in the homogenization of PDE's. It has since led to the solution of some open problems. Written by the three mathematicians who developed the method, the book presents both the theory as well as numerous examples of applications for partial differential problems with rapidly oscillating coefficients: in fixed domains (Part I), in periodically perforated domains (Part II), and in domains with small holes generating a strange term (Part IV). The method applies to the case of multiple microscopic scales (with finitely many distinct scales) which is connected to partial unfolding (also useful for evolution problems). This is discussed in the framework of oscillating boundaries (Part III). A detailed example of its application to linear elasticity is presented in the case of thin elastic plates (Part V). Lastly, a complete determination of correctors for the model problem in Part I is obtained (Part VI). This book can be used as a graduate textbook to introduce the theory of homogenization of partial differential problems, and is also a must for researchers interested in this field.

The book extensively introduces classical and variational partial differential equations (PDEs) to graduate and post-graduate students in Mathematics. The topics, even the most delicate, are presented in a detailed way. The book consists of two parts which focus on second order linear PDEs. Part I gives an overview of classical PDEs, that is, equations which admit strong solutions, verifying the equations pointwise. Classical solutions of the Laplace, heat, and wave equations are provided. Part II deals with variational PDEs, where weak (variational) solutions are considered. They are defined by variational formulations of the equations, based on Sobolev spaces. A comprehensive and detailed presentation of these spaces is given. Examples of variational elliptic, parabolic, and hyperbolic problems with different boundary conditions are discussed.

Materials science is an area of growing research as composite materials become widely used in such areas as civil engineering, electrotechnics, and the aerospace industry. This mathematically rigorous treatment of lattice-type structures will appeal to both applied mathematicians, as well as engineers looking for a solid mathematical foundation of the methodology.