| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S27252/01 |
| Title: |
A Midlands e-Science Centre of Excellence Proposal:Modelling and Analysis of Large Complex Systems |
| Principal Investigator: |
Kwiatkowska, Professor MZ |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
School of Computer Science |
| Organisation: |
University of Birmingham |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 September 2003 |
Ends: |
31 December 2005 |
Value (£): |
150,092
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Complexity Science |
eScience |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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This proposal is to create a Midlands e-Science Centre of Excellence at the University of Birmingham focused on Modelling and Analysis of Large Complex Systems as its Area of Excellence. The University of Birmingham is host to a substantial body of researchers in science and engineering involved in computational modelling of largescale systems: 19 research groups from 7 schools (nearly all 515* rated), totalling 200+ full-time staff and PhD students are joining this effort, plus two additional groups from the University of Coventry. The research activity features both longterm collaborations, as well as smaller scale projects within the UK, impacting academia and industry in the region. The work is funded by the research councils (EPSRC, PPARC, NERC, BBSRC) and EU to the total of 20M, as well as DTI and industry (e.g. Rolls Royce, Jaguar, QinetiQ, Marconi, AstraZeneca). Much of the research activity is linked to Grid projects in the UK and abroad, particularly in the US, with further opportunities for collaboration and two-way exchange of expertise already emerging.The University of Birmingham is the Regional Network Entry Point (RNEP) to JANET for the Midlands MidMAN network, and has recently made a substantial investment in IT infrastructure (3.14M SRIF grant supplemented by 1.67M of University funds), facilitating the installation of a campus-wide Gigabit Ethernet network and a new large-scale visualization system established with the help of Hewlett Packard. HP have a strong commitment to the Grid and have indicated a willingness to explore further ties with the University should this bid be successful. The node for the University of Coventry will be based in the new CU-ADAM facility, created with 1.5 million investment.The proposed Centre, if established, will pool together wide-ranging expertise in dataand CPU-intensive techniques for computational modelling, enabling multidisciplinary collaboration on a scale not yet realised in the region. Its uniquely distinguishing aspect is the focus on long-term research into developing effective algorithms and software technology (simulation, numerical computation and evolutionary computation methods) for the Grid and their application to complex problems leading to scientific advancement or industrial benefit. This is in contrast with the Grid middleware effort or applications focus, and directly responds to the issues raised by the Computer Challenges to Emerge from c-Science document. This bid has full support from the University, Information Services and the Schools offering equipment. The high degree of institutional commitment by the University is expressed by making available a high performance computing facility priced at 390K. The School of Computer Science, where the Centre will be based, will build the necessary space and administrative staffing needs into its future planning should the bid be successful.Birmingham and Warwick Universities are aware of each others' complementary bids to be a Centre of Excellence. In order to give each institution the opportunity to develop in full its own programme, and for reasons of time against a tight deadline, initial negotiations aimed toward a joint bid were not pursued. Notwithstanding that we have decided against submitting a joint bid, each would expect to involve the other in Grid activities of mutual interest, should either one be funded. We have already identified the activities of modelling the Grid and the performance of Grid applications and molecular modelling as possible areas of collaboration. Letters of support for affiliation with the Oxford and CLRC e-Science Centres are attached.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.bham.ac.uk |