Predicting the properties and behavior of materials by computer simulation from a fundamental, ub irtitio perspective has long been a vision of computational material scientists. The key to achieving this goal is utilizing hierarchies of paradigms and scales that connect macrosystems to first principles quantum mechanics (QM). Here we describe a new software environment, the "Computational Materials Design Facility" (CMDF), capable of simulations of complex materials studies using a variety of simulation paradigms. The CMDF utilizes a Python scripting layer to integrate different computational tools to develop multi-scale simulation applications. We have integrated DFr QM methods, the first principles ReaxFF reactive force field, empirical all atom force fields (FFs), mesoscale and continuum methods. The central data structure Extended OpenBabel (XOB) plays a critical role as glue between applications. We demonstrate the usefulness of CMDF in examples thai couple complex chemistry and mechanical properties during dynamical failure processes, as for example in a study of cracking of Ni under presence of O2.
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