Projects
From SuperMe
Projects for Summer 2009
Computer Systems Projects
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Visualization of Lobster Larvae MigrationMy focus in the Lobster Larvae Visualization project is using the mountain of data we have to visualize lobster larvae migration. This is a challenge because we do not yet know of visualization software that is compatible with our data. Prior, the team had been looking to UNH's visualization software, GeoZui4D -- however, our data isn't quite compatible with the software and UNH has been slow to produce their code for tailoring. This is a personal challenge because I am unfamiliar with oceanography, MatLab, netCDF, and visualization software. I hope to learn a lot about a field that I have never considered. |
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CUDA Performance Optimization Fish ModelingMy objective on the team is to utilize the processor power of an nVidia 8800 GTX graphics card to enhance computing performance on Yi Xu's fish modeling research, using her existing code and findings to produce a velocious and efficient method for compiling and representing data. Performance gain is the primary goal of the project, by incorporating code to make use of the existing computing power. Any languages used here should be inter-compatible, with FORTRAN as the primary. |
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Performance Optimization on Display WallThe goal of my research will be to document different forms of high-resolution data visualization in use today and determine the best way to benchmark display walls given the intent of the display. During my project, the visualization wall at UMaine's Innovation Center will be tested under a number of configurations.High-resolution data visualization is used for viewing large data while maintaining finer detail. |
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Display Wall Optimization through CUDA ProgrammingMy project will involve optimizing the performance on the display wall at the Innovation Center. The optimization will be done through harvesting unused power in the GPUs of the machines hosting the monitor wall. This involves analyzing the problems in performance with the system now and discovering possible boosts in efficiency. |
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GPU-Acceleration in MatlabMy project involves harnessing unused GPU power to increase the speed of Matlab functions and simulations. MEX-files can be written with a combination of C and CUDA to interact with the GPU. After compiling the MEX-files the functions can then be called from a Matlab command window or an M-file. |
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Modeling Disease Spread in a Dynamic Small World NetworkDynamic small world (DSW) networks are often used to model spreading processes on networks, such as rumor propagation, information flow, and disease outbreaks. The objectives of this project are to incorporate “super-spreaders” into the standard DSW disease model and to investigate the effects of random and targeted vaccination programs in this model. Quantities of interest include infectives as a function of time, peak and total outbreak times, and determination of which parameter values lead to an endemic state. |
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Modeling Mass Balance effects on GlaciersThis project is about making the UMaine Ice Sheet Model(UMISM) available online. The UMISM program was previously MATLAB code, but it has been ported to C and programmed for online use using CGI (Common Gateway Interface, which is a way of sending data over the Web) |
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Parallelization of Climate Change ModelsThis project will consist of parallelizing the code of a model, specifically UMISM. Therefore the model will be faster and easier to use. Also, the model will be available on the Web in such a way that is accessible and operable by a non-technical person. |
Supercomputing Application Projects
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Visualization of Whale MigrationWe have run model simulations of whale migrations and have some
understanding of what goes on. We are interested now in how they find food. The next step is
to put some "food" into our models in likely locations in the Gulf of Maine and come up with
some algorithms for modeling how whales search for food. We will run the models and analyze
the results both statistically and visually. Also See Ocean Modeling Group-Whale Migration |
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Molecular Dynamics of Polypeptides in a Confined EnvironmentProject by: Dylan Suvlu |
Projects for Summer 2008
Computer Systems Projects
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Development of an Energy-Optimal Offline Cache Replacement AlgorithmDescription: To date, most cache management policies seek to improve system performance by reducing the number of cache misses. Such schemes can offer poor energy efficiency, a negative impact which especially affects mobile and embedded devices and large-scale computer systems (i.e. commerical data storage or computational centers). We seek to first develop an energy-optimal offline page replacement algorithm and then to extend the problem to practicable online algorithms. |
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High-resolution Data VisualizationHigh-resolution data visualization is useful when wanting to look at data on a larger scale while maintaining finer details. My proposed research focus will be working on the monitor wall in the Innovation Center at the University of Maine, looking at more efficient ways of using VNC (Virtual Network Computing) to display the information on multiple screens. |
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Real-Time Visualization of Ice Sheet Data in the ClassroomReal-time rendering is a problem concerned with performance. While most scientific models focus on post processing videos and graphs, real-time focuses on results as they become available. This type of rendering is most akin to that found in 3D video games as they are played and run in a real-time environment. This is interesting because it allows people to the results of the model as they become available, and allows them to change relevant parameters on the fly with instant results.
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Design of an Upgraded System for Controlling the Trimming of the Sole of a ShoeThe software controlling this shoe sole trimmer was initially designed to run under DOS with limited memory and display capabilities. The software is being modified and the computer system is being upgraded to run under Linux with new motion controller cards and to use a touch screen monitor with a new graphical user interface. |
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ST. Elias Erosion/tectonics ProjectThis project involves the modeling of the interaction between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate near the St. Elias region. This project is primarily concerned with getting simulations running on the supercomputer. |
Supercomputing Application Projects
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Modeling Water to Calculate its Chemical Potential in the Bulk PhaseWater is absolutely necessary for life on earth, and water molecules possess some amazing properties that require a great deal of research. This project researches one of these properties-the behavior of water molecules in confined systems versus the behavior of water molecules in the bulk phase. Water molecules can exist within hydrophobic ("water-repelling") protein cavities, and they play an important role in the functionality of these proteins. It is important to understand the behavior of water molecules in these situations, so the goal of this project is to model the behavior of water molecules in confined systems by utilizing the computing power of the University of Maine's supercomputer clusters. |
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Visualization of Oceanic Simulation Data in Google EarthWe present a framework for visualizing numerical results derived from oceanic models. The Network Common Data Form (NetCDF) file format used allows for rapid reading of simulation data as well as internal storage of said data in an architecture-independent fashion. Our development focuses on leveraging the Google Earth framework by extending its available API to project additional layers of graphics generated by post-processing of numerical data. Google Earth Markup (KML) files are produced allowing for portable and robust viewing of visualizations using the Google Earth interface. |
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Monte Carlo Simulation on Spin GlassThe goal of the project is to model spin glass, which in nature is a very complex physical material. With the understanding of spin glass, note only we get a understanding on the condensed physics, we also can apply the spin glass theory on neural networking, theoretical biology, computer science, etc. |
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Harmful Algal Bloom Dynamics in the Gulf of MaineThe goal of this project is to incorporate the "Red Tide"-causing algae, Alexandrium fundyense, into an existing ecosystem model (Chai et al., 2002), and to analyze the effects of other species and nutrients on the Alexandrium dynamic. |
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Geological Data VisualizationThe goal of this project is to create a graphical user interface for the visualization of geological data in the netCDF format. The interface will allow the user to customize the output visualization, varying parameters such as visualization type, resolution, and projection. |