Software Technologies for the Accurate and Consistent Management of Scientific Data

51016-98-I Software Technologies for the Accurate and Consistent Management of Scientific Data--Scientific Digital Visions, Inc., 2 North Second Street, Suite 1215, San Jose, CA 95113-1310; (408) 289-8494 Mr. Robert Sutton, Principal Investigator Dr. Craig Stone, Business Official DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-98ER82666 Amount: $67,492 A fundamental problem in computing is the poor treatment of scientific data. Compilers do not include methods for bundling units and uncertainties with the data, leaving this basic data management to software engineers. The limitations in data processing create a significant potential for systematic error that in science, engineering, and medicine could lead to incorrect results, or could prove to be life-threatening. This project will develop a data management system that includes units and uncertainty management. A mathematical library will also be developed that allows the proper processing of information, including unit transformation, uncertainty propagation, and error checking. The technology will be extended to manage large data collections and provide larger-scaling processing such as data filtering and fitting. In Phase I a model for the data management system will be designed, including the basic data storage, units processing, uncertainty process, and address other related issues. A software prototype will be created, tested, and its performance evaluated to refine the model and produce a work plan for Phase II. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The technology should have broad application for Federal agencies, national laboratories, universities, and other research establishments. It should be applicable in science, engineering, medicine, and other fields that rely on numerical processing. Potential products include compiler technologies for Java, C/C++ and other compilers._