Computational Science and Engineering

[Overview]   [Faculty]   [Projects]  

Computational Science and Engineering focuses on the application of systems and foundations of computing to different disciplines of engineering and the sciences with computationally- and/or data-intensive simulations.

Faculty

Nancy Amato, Unocal Professor   (Motion planning, computational biology, robotics, computational geometry, animation, CAD, VR, parallel and distributed computing, parallel algorithms, performance modeling, and optimization)

Gabriel Dos Reis, Assistant Professor   (Computer algebra, mathematical software, formal verification, programming languages, compiler construction, generic programming)

Lawrence Rauchwerger, Professor   (Compilers for parallel and distributed computing, parallel and distributed C++ libraries, adaptive runtime optimizations, architectures for parallel computing)

Vivek Sarin, Associate Professor   (Numerical methods, parallel algorithms, computational science)

Valerie Taylor, Royce E. Wisenbaker Professor   (High performance computing, with particular emphasis on the performance analysis and modeling of parallel and distributed applications)

Projects

Seismic Ray Tracing (Nancy Amato)      Our lab has worked on the parallel computing and performance modeling aspects of the project. We will be working on developing an efficient parallel algorithm for Seismic Ray Tracing. The second phase of the project deals with implementing the algorithm in a parallel machine using the Standard Template Adaptive Parallel Library (STAPL) which is being developed at Texas A&M. The next phase of the project deals with incorporating self tuning elements in the code.

Robust Preconditioners for Sparse Linear Systems (Vivek Sarin)     We are developing robust, parallelizable preconditioning techniques for large, sparse linear systems arising in scientific simulations.

Modeling and Simulation of Sub-Micron VLSI (Vivek Sarin)    We are developing novel algorithms for fast and accurate estimation of the parasitic RCL of large VLSI circuits. A software package is being developed to provide the capability of fast parasitic extraction on a variety of parallel computers.

Prophesy: Performance Analysis and Modeling Infrastructure (Valerie Taylor)     Prophesy includes three major components: automatic instrumentation, databases for archiving performance data, and a model builder. The model builder can use one of three techniques (curve fitting, parameterization, or coupling) to develop performance models. Prophesy can be used to identify performance trends, performance tune applications, or provide predictions that can be used by other systems such as resource schedulers. (URL: prophesy.cse.tamu.edu)

Modeling and Simulation of a Very High Frequency Spring (Glen Williams)     We are developing algorithms for the animation of a slinky. We have completed the first phase, a non-contact, unconstrained model, and have produced a movie of various motions. The equations and the associated computational techniques for the constrained motions are currently under development.

Failure of Earthen Embankments (Glen Williams)    We are developing numerical techniques to determine the failure surface of an earthen embankment, such as a dam. The embankment medium is a non-homogeneous, multi-layered, discontinuous half-space which may include sheet pile walls, tension cracks, or other nonlinear characteristics.

View Dependent Radiosity (Glen Williams)    We are developing algorithms to enable the basic radiosity algorithm to be implemented in a view dependent manner. Currently view independent and requiring a solution of n simultaneous equations for a complete image with n polygons in a scene, prioritized viewing techniques will allow the radiosity algorithm to be used in a more computationally efficient manner.