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Using computers to help gain scientific
understanding
Using computers to run calculations of
complex situations and create representative
models
Used in many, if not all, science fields
◦ Biology, chemistry, meteorology, geology, physics,
engineering, computer science, math, nursing,
psychology
◦ Also military and commercial uses
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Before computers…
◦ meteorologists solved
mathematical equations by hand
to predict weather conditions
◦ This was slow and tedious
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P. Lynch, The origins of computer weather prediction and
climate modeling, J. Comput. Phys. (2007),
doi:10.1016/j.jcp.2007.02.034
Picture from http://weather.unisys.com/
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This changed with the
development of electronic
computers in the 1940’s
One of the first computers was
the Electronic Numerical
Integrator and Computer (ENIAC)
ENIAC used in 1950 to solve
meteorological equations
relatively quickly (24 hr.
calculations)
Computers now solve complex
equations for forecast models
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Study of traffic flow
using computers
began in 1990’s
Used for city planning
and to prepare for
emergency events
Integrates statistics,
physics, and psychology
◦ Density of traffic, braking
Minkel, J. R. (2004). The Computer Minds the Commuter. Physical Review:
mechanism, drivers’
Focus, 13. Retrieved from http://focus.aps.org/story/v13/st26#author
anticipated reactions
Lee, H. K., Barlovic, R., Schreckenberg, M., Kim, D,. (2004) Mechanical
Restriction Versus Human Overreaction Triggering Congested Traffic
States, Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 238702
Picture from http://oumits.olemiss.edu/research_traffic_count.htm
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1978—computers recognized
as key tool for sequencing DNA
1990—Human Genome Project
(HGP) began
1998—Increased computer
power allowed a new method to
solve genome sequence much
faster
Computational study of genome
Pillsbury, E., A History of Genome Sequencing
sequences has led to a
http://bioinfo.mbb.yale.edu/course/projects/final-4/
Danchin, A., A Rattling Good History: The Story of the Human
whole new field called
Genome Project
http://www.normalesup.org/~adanchin/populus/hgp.html
bioinformatics
Pictures from
http://www.wired.com/medtech/health/news/2003/02/57674?
currentPage=all
http://www.kscience.co.uk/as/module2/dna_structure/DNA_file
s/History%20of%20DNA%20research_files/cell-to-DNA.jpg
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Of gases, liquids, heat, sound,
blood, stars, galaxies -anything that flows
Used in design of extraordinary
array of devices
◦ Aerodynamics: airplanes, cars,
sprinters, cyclists
◦ Hydrodynamics: boats, racing suits
◦ Earthquakes: buildings, bridges
◦ Combustion: engines, power plants
◦ Many others
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Integrates physics, chemistry,
and engineering
Aeronautical Research and Test Institute (2009)
http://www.vzlu.cz/en/activities/aerodynamicscomputing/computer-fluid-dynamics
What is Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), ANSYS
Inc.
http://www.fluent.com
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NASA Center for Climate
Simulation (NCCS) at the
Goddard Space Flight Center
(and others)
Computers take into account
pollution, humidity, temperature
gradients, energy, sources and
sinks
Model changes in arctic sea ice
thickness, tide height, and the
ozone layer
Schmunk, R. B., Global Climate Modeling , (2009) Goddard Space Flight
Institute http://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/modeling/gcms.html
Pictures from: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Scientific
Visualization Studio
http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a000000/a001000/a001075/index.html
http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a010500/a010563/index.html
http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a010500/a010568/index.html
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Computers used to understand the causes of and spreading
of diseases and to develop methods of intervention
More people and factors can
be studied with computers
than by hand models
Integrating factors such as
population structure,
biology, age of individuals,
climate, diet, and other real world situations
Diseases such as cancers, AIDS, Alzheimer’s, avian influenza,
measles, Foot-and-Mouth
Duke-Sylvester, S. M., Perencevich, E. N., Furuno, J. P., Real,
L. A., Gaff, H. (2008) Advancing Epidemiological science
disease, and pneumonia
through computational modeling: a review with novel
examples. Ann. Bot. Fennici 45, 385-401
http://www.sekj.org/PDF/anz45-free/anz45-385.pdf
Division of International Epidemiology and Population
Studies (DIEPS), U.S. NIH John E. Fogarty International
Center for Advanced Study in the Health Sciences
http://www.fic.nih.gov/epipopstudies.htm
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First used in a film called Westworld
(1973)
Toy Story (1995) was the first
animated film using all CGI
Animusic– Animations set to music
◦ Idea began in 1982 by Wayne Lytle
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Artists create the characters/
objects and control lighting while
the computer automatically adds
shadows and
Yaeger, L. S. (2002). A Brief, Early History of Computer Graphics in Film
multiple views
http://www.beanblossom.in.us/larryy/cgi.html
History, Animusic: Computer Animated Music
http://www.animusic.com/company/history.php
What is a Computer Generated Image? (2003). The Sketch Farm
http://www.sketchfarm.com/cgi_page.html
Pictures from http://www.animusic.com/news/index.php
http://disneybooks.disney.go.com/books/1423129679.html
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Model musculoskeletal
movement
Predict causes of birth defects
Model tumor growth
Help surgeons practice and
plan before the surgery
Predict outcomes of
treatments for spinal
deformities
PSRG Projects: Patient-specific biomechanical modelling for improved treatment of spinal
deformity, (2009) Queensland University of
Technologyhttp://www.bee.qut.edu.au/research/themes/medicalengineering/paediatrics/proje
cts.jsp
Guyuron, B, Ross, R. J., (1989) Computer-generated model surgery: An exacting approach to
complex craniomaxillofacial disharmonies. Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery 17, 101-104
Hollmer, M. Computer Model Predicts Brain Tumor Growth And Evolution (2009) Medical News
Today http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/150666.php
Fisher, J. C., and Bodenstein, L. (2006) Computer simulation analysis of normal and abnormal
development of the mammalian diaphragm. Theoretical Biology and Medical Modelling 3, 1-17
http://www.tbiomed.com/content/3/1/9
Musculoskeletal Modeling Dynamic Simulations: Jumping (1996) Goddard Space Flight Center:
Scientific Visualization Studio
http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a000000/a000000/a000094/index.html
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Predicting cost, time
constraints, potential
difficulties, and the best
mode of transportation in
the deployment of troops
Simulating events and
circumstances for training
Modeling human behavior to
improve military simulations
for training
Forecasting the cost of
maintaining weapons
systems and aircraft
Uǧur Z. Yildirim , I. Sabuncuoǧlu , Barbaros Tansel, A simulation model for military
deployment, Proceedings of the 39th conference on Winter simulation: 40 years! The
best is yet to come, December 09-12, 2007, Washington D.C.
Smith, Roger. "Military Modeling". CRC Handbook of Dynamic System Modeling. Boca
Raton: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC, 2007.
Pew, Richard, and Anne Mavor. Modeling Human and Organizational Behavior:
Application to Military Simulations. Washington: National Academy Press, 1998.
"Become Confident in Your Forecast of Weapon System Support Requirements". LMCI
Consulting. 7-20-10 <http://logmodctr.com/forecasting/>.
"Virtual Warriors Push Envelope at 9th Annual MOVES Research Summit". Navel
Postgraduate School. 7-20-10 <http://www.nps.edu/About/News/Virtual-WarriorsPush-Envelope-at-9th-Annual-MOVES-Research-Summit-.html>.
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The Society for Modeling & Simulation
International http://www.scs.org/