IACM’s long tradition in Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computing research is focused on both fundamental research as well as on applied, industrial applications. Our aim is the development, implementation, evaluation and analysis of numerical methods for the accurate and efficient simulation of challenging continuum and stochastic mathematical models. Our expertise spans on a variety of computational methods and alternative methodologies. Specific applications the team is actively involved with are: computational fluid dynamics, numerical simulation of crack propagation, methods for conservation laws, dispersive wave propagation, viscous flow through heterogeneous media, large scale convective flows, and drift-diffusion systems with applications in solar cells, to name a few.
A considerable effort will be made to pitch as many as current fundamental research projects as possible into potentially interested industrial partners in Greece and abroad, aiming to expand their applicability and to facilitate their transition from enquiry-driven research into technological innovation.
Scientific Computing : We develop algorithms and software for the numerical modelling of complex systems and phenomena. Specific applications group members are actively involved with are: computational fluid dynamics, numerical simulation of crack propagation, methods for conservation laws, dispersive wave propagation, viscous flow through heterogeneous media.
Some recent activities:
The simulation and prediction of past and possible future tsunamis in the Aegean and neighbouring seas, and the estimation of tsunami hazard along Greek coasts. Tsunamis are long surface waves of small amplitude and their propagation in the open sea is efficiently modelled by the Shallow Water (SW) equations over variable bottom topography.
Integrated Software products:
The ocean acoustic propagation and inversion codes developed by the wave propagation group are integrated in user-friendly software environments. These environments are integrated in the sense that they provide a broad range of tools and data for properly defining and efficiently solving problems in underwater acoustics. The group has been developing integrated software products for applications such as sonar performance prediction, tomographic analysis, and operational passive acoustic localization, as well as for educational purposes.
Software packages developed:
·VISUAL ACOUSTICS: Acoustic field prediction
·PDA: Passive underwater acoustic detection analysis
·TOMOLAB: Design and analysis of ocean acoustic tomography experiments (OCTOPUS project)
·CALYPSO: Analysis and performance prediction of underwater acoustic detection systems (CASPER project, http://www.iacm.forth.gr/wave/R&D/Calypso.php )
·TRITON: A prototype software environment for bistatic detection analysis (http://triton.iacm.forth.gr/ )
·OCEAN SOUND LAB: An educational software environment offering an introduction to underwater sound (http://osl.iacm.forth.gr/ )
Spatial Decision Support Systems: SDSS are information systems for supporting decision making and have extensive applications in environmental planning, resources allocation, business decision making and other fields. Through an integrated and user-friendly environment, they bring together simulation models, GIS databases, impact assessment methodologies and decision rules. The research of the group concentrates on the integration of simulation models with the GIS systems, the development of various spatial datasets and the design of the end user interface. Application areas studied in the group include: simulation of natural disasters such as floods and forest fires, leaks detection in municipal water distribution systems, and mapping noise levels in urban areas.
The Remote Sensing Lab of IACM (http://rslab.gr) has developed a web-based Decision Support System in the framework of the FLIRE project. The software enables the user to combine information from different models, satellite observations and meteorological measurements and forecasts, supporting what-if analysis in cases of fires and floods, providing fire and flood warnings for local authorities. The system is available online in http://rslab.gr/downloads_flire.html