In situ x-ray diffraction and imaging studies of structural and geological materials under dynamic loading

New opportunities to study the evolution of microstructure of materials in response to dynamic loading are enabled by the development of new x-ray sources and detectors. This talk will focus on recent experiments on structural and geological materials under loading at strain rates of on the order of 10$^{3}$ s$^{-1}$. Examples will include diffraction studies of texture evolution in polycrystalline magnesium alloys and martensitic phase transformations in steel and Ni-Ti, along with preliminary static phase contrast imaging studies of defects in single-crystal quartz and sandstone. The talk will emphasize general principles and experimental considerations in developing \textit{in situ} x-ray experiments. Two primary themes will be how to take best advantage of the characteristics of the x-ray source and detector, and the limits that these characteristics place on the samples and loading conditions that can be studied. The talk will conclude with a discussion of prospects for future developments in the field in light of continuing advances in x-ray sources and detectors.