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April 11-15, 2011
| Organizers: |
|
Michael P. Brenner
|
Engineering and Applied Sciences,
Harvard University |
|
Clint N. Dawson
|
Aerospace Engineering and
Engineering Mechanics,
University of Texas at Austin |
|
Margot Gerritsen
|
Energy Resources Engineering,
Stanford University |
|
Anna M. Michalak
|
Civil and Environmental
Engineering / Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences
University of Michigan |
Description:
Simulation and computation play a critical role in important
societal problems. Examples
include the role of anthropogenic emissions on climate and
ocean circulation; the prediction of
earthquakes and tsunamis; the prediction of paths and storm
surges of hurricanes; designing
infrastructure that is capable of withstanding disasters, such
as floods and terrorist attacks;
the design and long term durability of major infrastructure,
such as bridges, tunnels, etc;
the spread and containment of disease and epidemics, etc. These
systems exhibit extreme
complexity: there are a myriad of different issues that are
critical and must be accurately
addressed. Models contain and interface large numbers of
physical effects. All of these
problems represent grand challenge computer problems that
require pushing the limits of
technology, both with regards to algorithms and machines as
well as the development of the
physical models themselves.
Critical issues include the development and coupling of
algorithms for multiphysics, multiscale
applications, verification and validation of these computer
models, and quantifying
their predictive reliability, given potentially large
uncertainty in numerical accuracy, code
reliability and ultimately the models themselves. How good is
good enough? For any complex
phenomenon, as data and computing power increases, more and
more physical effects
can always be included, and larger computations can always be
designed. However there will
always be substantial uncertainty and numerical error to
overcome.
This workshop will have two main parts: first we will overview
the major computational
efforts in a number of different problems of societal
importance, including climate,
atmospheric pollution, floods and earthquakes, alternative
energy sources and carbon sequestration.
Speakers will assess the state of the art, highlighting the
major areas of current
research in algorithms, data collection and integration, and
error and uncertainty estimation.
The second part will include researchers working on
mathematical foundations of computer
architectures, algorithms, error estimation and uncertainty
quantification methods. This will
repeat (in small doses) some of the discussion previously
taking place in this annual year but
the hope is that we will excite a synergy between the
mathematicians and the practitioners
to find areas where real progress can be made.
Schedule not yet available.
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