We present an approach for the integrated design of materials, products, and design processes. The approach is based on the use of reusable interaction patterns to model design processes, and the consideration of design process decisions using the value of information metrics. The approach is presented using a multifunctional energetic structural materials (MESM) design example. The design objectives in the example include sufficient strength and energy release capabilities. The design is carried out by using simulation models at different scales that model different aspects of the system. Preliminary results from the application of the approach to the MESM design problem are discussed. In this paper, we show that the integrated design of materials and products can be carried out more efficiently by considering the design of design processes. Keywords -Multiscale design, materials design, design processes, value of information, energetic structural materials 1 FRAME OF REFERENCE Multiscale design involves accounting for all aspects of systems from lower length and time scales to higher scales, throughout the lifecycle in order to make risk informed design decisions at all scales. Materials design is a very interesting example of multiscale design where phenomena at various scales such as quantum scale, micro-scale, and macro-scale influence the performance of both the material and the overall product (also referred to as the system). A distinguishing feature of materials design is that the models at each scale may not be well-developed or have a high degree of uncertainty. Integrated design of materials and products is increasingly being adopted by designers due to the potential to fulfill requirements that are not possible with material selection only [1] . Design of materials increases a designers' freedom, but also increases the complexity of design processes. Due to the highly coupled nature of these problems, some of the key challenges in multiscale design include uncertainty, design process configuration, evolving simulation models, and design space exploration efficiency. An overview of the challenges in modeling and design of multiscale systems is presented in [2] , with a special emphasis on materials design. We address the general challenges in multiscale design by developing a robust, simulation-based strategy for design of multiscale systems in Refs. [3; 2]. Since the complexity of problem limits robust design exploration, it is important to consider ways to appropriately simplify design processes in a manner that does not affect final product performance. Hence, the fundamental concepts behind our strategy include: a) making decisions that are robust to noise factors, uncertainty in design variables, uncertainty inherent to simulation models, and uncertainty propagated throughout the design process, and b) systematic accounting of design process level decisions, which is also referred to as meta-design. The robust design part of the strategy is discussed in detail in [3] [4] [5] . In this paper, we focus mainly on the second element -meta-design in the context of simulation-based integrated design of materials and products. Although multiscale design processes are complex due to coupling between decisions and simulation models, not all couplings are critical for a designer interested in making satisficing decisions [6] . Design-process related decisions such as "which couplings between decisions and simulation models are important from a decision making standpoint ?", and "what level of refinement of a simulation model is good enough for design decision making?" play an important role in the design of multiscale systems. In other words, complex multiscale
REF developed an approach for the integrated design of materials, products, and design processes which was based on the use of reusable interaction patterns to model design processes, and the consideration of design process decisions using the value of information metrics.
Designing Design Processes for Integrated Materials and Products Realization: A Multifunctional Energetic Structural Material Example
DAC 2006
Computer Science