A toolbox for optimal design

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a prototype of an integrated set of software tools for computer aided optimal design. This tool box will require interfacing with large scale proprietary codes for the simulation of physical phenomena. The industry problems to which will be addressed are such that conventional optimization techniques are not applicable. Intelligent search methods and parallel computing in distributed networks will be the basic tools to be considered. and the applicability of a recently developed system for asynchronous parallel pattern search. The system, that exist today, needs to be extended so that nonlinear constraints can be introduced and larger dimensional problems can be solved. Initial focus will be on optimal structural design, piezoelectric transducer design and the design of optoelectronic devices.