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ICES News

Faculty Spotlight

From eardrums to electromagnetics, Demkowicz hears the problems

From eardrums to electromagnetics, Demkowicz hears the problems

A good tool is both robust and accurate; it doesn’t break down easily, or give faulty readings or results. This standard applies to everything from a bathroom scale, or vending machine to a sniper rifle. It also rings true for computer code.

Industry and agencies use computer code to design products and test research in the digital realm. It cuts down and time and cost, and can allow a design to be tested in a variety of conditions. Teams of scientists and engineers at companies are dedicated to implementing codes that work efficiently and represent reality—codes that are robust and accurate. But sometimes, they get stuck. Read more.

Chelikowsky Wins APS' Highest Prize

Jim Chelikowsky, director of the ICES Center for Computational Materials, has won the American Physical Society’s (APS) highest award in the field of computational physics, the Aneesur Rahman Prize for Computational Physics. Cited for his "computational applications of quantum theories to understand and predict material properties," the 50,000-member APS awarded Chelikowsky the annual prize designed to recognize and encourage outstanding research in computational physics. Read more.

Posted: Oct. 17, 2012
Hossain, Hughes develop heart treatment

To help physicians intricately customize heart disease treatment, ICES Professor Thomas Hughes and his former Ph.D. student Dr. Shaolie Hossain simulated a new treatment for the most common cause of heart attacks, and mobilized a team of students and faculty to produce an instructional video on how to use it.

“Navigating ‘the great divide’ that often exists between clinicians and engineers or scientists can be challenging,” Hossain said. “We hope this video will help bridge this gap, and prove to be educational to the general public.” Read more.

Posted: Oct. 16, 2012
Nora Deram Receives Prestigious NSF Fellowship

Third-year Computational Science and Engineering (CSEM) Graduate Program student Nora Deram has been selected to receive a 2012 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship.

As an NSF fellow, Deram will benefit from a three-year annual stipend of $30,000 along with a $12,000 cost of education allowance for tuition and fees, and opportunities for international research and professional development.

Working under ICES Deputy Director and Mechanical Engineering Professor Robert Moser, Deram’s fellowship will support her research on uncertainty quantification for chaotic systems. Read more.

Posted: Oct. 4, 2012
Researchers to Develop Software to Improve Discovery of Low-Cost, Sustainable Energy Materials

Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have received a $6.2 million grant over a five-year period to develop computer software to design and discover materials for low-cost energy applications. Potential uses include economical battery materials to capture solar energy and materials that convert water to hydrogen using sunlight.

“The software we develop will help eliminate the expensive trial and error of laboratory experiments trying to predict and understand the properties of materials,” said James Chelikowsky, the project’s principal investigator and director of the Center for Computational Materials at ICES. Read more.

Posted: Sept. 19, 2012
Irene Gamba Named 2012 ICES Distinguished Researcher

For her sustained and excellent research in applied and computational mathematics, Dr. Irene Gamba, professor of mathematics, received the $100,000 ICES Distinguished Research Award for 2012. Gamba was selected from ICES core faculty for advancing the field through her work on kinetic theory and Boltzmann's equation.

"Professor Gamba is one of the world's leading applied and computational mathematicians, who's work on kinetic theory and Boltzmann's equation has significantly advanced the field. We are extremely proud to have her as a faculty colleague," said ICES Director Tinsley Oden. "Her energy and dedication to students and to research in computational science has been a great benefit to ICES and to The University."

The award recognizes “an outstanding research record, impressive and sustained contributions to ICES and the CSEM Program, dedication to the CSEM students, and the distinction the recipient’s work and reputation brings to ICES and the University of Texas at Austin."

Gamba is leader of the ICES Applied Mathematics Group and the current holder of the Joe B. and Louise Cook Professorship in Mathematics. Her research focuses on developing semiconductor devices and solar cell modeling and simulation.

Posted: Sept. 18, 2012