- A need to enhance the research and innovation capacity of CaSToRC:
The Computation-based Science and Technology Research Centre (CaSToRC) of the Cyprus Institute (CyI) is involved in multidisciplinary research centred around high performance computing (HPC) and data science approaches. One of the overarching objectives of the SimEA project is to complement existing research domains in CaSToRC with a computational engineering component. It is envisaged that this will significantly enhance its research portfolio, applied science applications, funding opportunities, collaborations, and innovation capacity to better exploit its research outcomes.
- Importance for society
In general, computational disciplines and data processing affect our day-to-day lives in many ways, e.g. we travel in cars and airplanes designed through modelling and simulations, we develop novel materials and study the environment with the help of HPC systems, we improve health services by using extensive data analysis, and we optimise design, manufacturing, and operations by analysing vast amounts of data. In the SimEA project, we develop and apply mathematical and computational models to study and design complex molecular systems to address a variety of problems, e.g. we develop methods to predict the structure-property relationships of heterogeneous polymer-based nanostructured materials, such as polymer nanocomposites and thin films, which could have strong technological and economic impacts due to their potential for various important applications, such as in the automotive (tire) industry.
- Overall objectives are to:
1. Recruit the ERA chair and his research team.
2. Establish new research initiatives in accord with the Smart Specialisation Strategy of Cyprus. This will allow for access to local funding which will ensure a more sustainable future for CaSToRC.
3. Forge new local and international collaborations with academia and industry.
4. Create an innovation focal hub related to “computational science and engineering” at CyI. Synergies with industry will serve to enhance the innovation capacity of CaSToRC.
5. Enrich the curriculum of PhD and MSc programs.
6. Raise awareness of the importance of computational engineering and its impact on society.
7. Establish CaSToRC as a national hub for advanced computing which will serve to advance research, education, and the scientific career of students and young researchers with multi-disciplinary skills in the areas of algorithms, analysis of big data, and simulation methods.
