Research Area C: Systems Analysis and Inverse Problems
SimTech simulates materials and processes which can be almost as complex as is feasibly possible. A good example is given by the biochemical reaction chains in a cell which are highly linked and partly build multi-layer hierarchies.
Minimal effort
However, depending on the matter under study, not all system data and characteristics must be included in every simulation or modelling. As enormous amounts of data mount up, it is all the more important to design simulations in such a way that they produce as many results as possible with a minimum of data and in the shortest of times. This is why SimTech researchers are using systems analysis to develop methods for model validation and model reduction.
With the right control to real-time simulations
Technical control aspects must also be considered in dynamic systems which include not only the afore-mentioned reaction chains in a cell but also e.g. highly automated production flows. Researchers are seeking to design self-correcting feedback mechanisms which guarantee optimum operations. This will pave the way for real-time simulations with which SimTech will make better products and techniques possible.
Mathematical bag of tricks
All this is only possible when based on comprehensive systems analyses and when the correct parameters are considered from the very start. However, the latter cannot always be identified in direct measurements. This means that scientists need to come up with a mathematical trick by formulating inverse mathematical problems. They can then calculate the desired parameters from indirect measurements, virtually by using a certain effect to deduce its cause. Inverse problems are applied when e.g. the amplitude of signals from an earth quake sensor and data on geologic conditions are combined to calculate the coordinates of an earth quake centre.
SimTech projects related Research Area C can be found in the following Project Networks: