SUMMARY

NSF ACI-0093139

CAREER: Development of Computational Methods
        for the New Generation of Air Quality Models 



Comprehensive air quality computer models  are widely used
investigation tools in environmental research; many
physical and chemical processes are modeled and their
integrated impacts on atmospheric  pollutant concentrations
studied. Air quality models are also important tools for 
regulatory and policy communities. The Clean Air Act
stresses the importance of assessing and managing air
pollution levels to protect human health and the
environment. Air quality models are used to develop optimal
emission control strategies  for atmospheric pollutants, 
as required by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

The level of confidence in modeling results depends
critically on the accuracy of numerical methods employed,
as well as on the robustness of the underlying
implementation.   The research goal of the PI is to develop
state-of-the-art computational methods and software
techniques for use in air quality modeling. 

The proposed project will continue his work on time
stepping methods. Special purpose algorithms will be
developed for simultaneous treatment of box model
processes, including aerosol dynamics, gas and liquid phase
chemistry and interphase mass transfer.  Higher accuracies
and lower computational times are targeted.

Particulate matter (aerosol) processes recently became a
priority focus area in environmental science. 
Incorporating aerosol processes in the models leads to an
order of magnitude  increase in the overall computational
time.  The PI's research will extend into the area of
solving the integro-differential equations that govern
particle evolution; specifically, the proposed work will
improve the theoretical framework and will build fast and
reliable numerical techniques for aerosol
dynamics-chemistry simulations. 

This work will further progress toward the goal of
developing ``highly trustable'' atmospheric models.
Together with the physical/chemical process understanding 
and numerical algorithm design, software technology is an
important  component of these models.  Another objective of
the project is to explore software  design techniques and
tools that will make the modeling software easier to use,
to maintain and to develop.  The resulting object-oriented
version of a generic Eulerian model will illustrate the new
approach to software construction and will constitute an
ideal environment for developing and testing specialized
numerical methods.

PI's educational goal is to enhance interdisciplinary
education in computationally-oriented disciplines. Since
much of the science and technology of the future and many
of the new industries will cross the boundaries  of
traditional disciplines, interdisciplinary education
becomes increasingly important. Some of the newest high
demand areas involve computing  and information technology
together with other fields like biotechnology and  the
environment. The PI will use his teaching and research
experience to support the development of cutting-edge
computationally-involved B.S. programs at  Michigan
Technological University. He will also continue to
contribute to the Ph.D. program in Computational Science
and Engineering.

The PI's research and educational goals fit well within his
university, college and department strategic plans  to
promote a few important platforms including biotechnology,
environmental science and information technology; to
increase the number of interdisciplinary efforts  by
forming cross-departmental faculty teams in these  areas of
focus;  to develop interdisciplinary B.S. degree programs
with a strong computing component; and to expand the Ph.D.
program in Computational Science and Engineering.

The proposed work spans spans approximately five years.
Research activities will result in efficient and accurate 
numerical methods for air quality simulations, and novel
implementation design techniques. Educational activities
will support the development of interdisciplinary, 
computationally-oriented programs at Michigan Technological
University.