As a convergence point for engineering, mathematics and computer science with the domain sciences, IDRE represents and supports research at UCLA where high performance computation, visualization, modeling and simulation play a key role. IDRE and the IDRE Research Technology Group are involved with both campus-wide research projects that address key computational needs for UCLA researchers and focused projects that are related to IDRE’s primary program areas. Projects done in conjunction with the faculty of the IDRE-HASIS subgroup focus on the integrated research, education, and outreach endeavors specific to the humanities, arts, and social sciences.
Particle-in-Cell and Kinetic Simulation Software Center (PICKSC)
PI: Warren Mori (Physics)
PICKSC’s mission is to support an international community of PIC and plasma kinetic software developers, users, and educators; to increase the use of this software for accelerating the rate of scientific discovery; and to be a repository of knowledge and history for PIC. Project website.
Development of Particle-in-Cell Algorithms for Advanced Computer Architectures
PI: Viktor Decyk (Physics, IDRE)
Design of a general algorithm for Particle-in-Cell (PIC) codes to run effectively on a variety of new computer architectures including multi-core processors, Cell processors, and graphical processing units (GPUs). The first test will be an implementation on GPUs. IDRE contact: Viktor Decyk. Project website.
Smart Manufacturing
PI: Jim Davis (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering)
Bridging Campus Resources via GENI and OpenFlow
PI: Jim Davis (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering)
This project is establishing a live OpenFlow test bed on the UCLA campus in order to allow researchers in different disciplines to run experiments requiring high volume data exchange, intense processing, and/or seamless mobility. This project, funded by the NSF Early Concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) program, focuses on the testing of (1) an OpenFlow architecture that allows customized management of information flows without impacting the performance of existing networks, and (2) flexible support of mobile users. Demonstrations of the OpenFlow test bed is being conducted on three applications: “Big Data” processing at various medical research centers, high speed, reliable connections to vehicles through Wi-Fi and Wi-MAX networks, and real-time exchanges of data in Smart Manufacturing (SM) systems. IDRE and OIT will be conducting the demonstrations and providing campus wide coordination with direct involvement of UCLA’s campus infrastructure services organization. IDRE contact: Lisa Snyder
AEGARON
PIs: Willeke Wendrich (Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, UCLA) and Ulrike Fauerbach (German Archaeological Institute Cairo)
The AEGARON (Ancient Egyptian Architecture Online) team is working to develop and publish high-quality plans and architectural drawings of ancient Egyptian buildings. Jointly funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (NEH-DFG), the project is a collaboration between UCLA and the Deutsches Archäologisches Institut Abteilung Kairo (DAIK). IDRE contact: Yoh Kawano. Project participants: Steven Davison (UCLA Digital Library Program), Chris Patterson (OIT Web Team), and [add others as desired]. Project website.
Bishamon
PI: Yoh Kawano (IDRE)
Bishamon is a collaborative project between Niigata University, Japan, and UCLA. Working with the communities affected by the 2011 Nuclear explosion in Fukushima, the project aims to measure radiation levels in an effort to inform citizens on the impact that the disaster has had, and continues to have on their lives. IDRE contact: Yoh Kawano. Project website.
HyperCities
PI: Todd Presner (Germanic Languages)
HyperCities is a collaborative research and educational platform for traveling back in time to explore the historical layers of city spaces in an interactive, hypermedia environment. This multi-disciplinary project showcases research from scholars around the world drawn by the platform’s ability to combine academic argument with primary and secondary resources in a spatially correct geo-temporal framework. IDRE contact: Yoh Kawano. Project participants: David Shepard (Center for Digital Humanities), Jan Reiff (History and Statistics), and [add others as desired]. Project website.
VSim
PI: Lisa M. Snyder and Scott Friedman (IDRE)
An NEH-funded project to develop software to facilitate use of academically generated three-dimensional models in both formal and informal educational settings. IDRE Contact: Lisa M. Snyder. Project partner: Steven Davison (UCLA Digital Library Program). Project website.
World’s Columbian Exposition Reconstruction
PI: Lisa M. Snyder (IDRE)
The World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 was a landmark event in American history. Held in Chicago, this seminal world’s fair is widely studied across a range of disciplines including architecture, urban planning, women’s studies, religious studies, and art history. The reconstruction model is both a work-in-progress and actively used as a testbed for educational applications for interactive computer technology. Project website.
Digital Karnak
PIs: Diane Favro (Architecture and Urban Design) and Willeke Wendrich (Near Eastern Languages and Cultures)
The NEH-funded Digital Karnak Project provides learners of all ages with an opportunity to explore this important temple complex’s rich religious, political and architectural history. Using VSim, the Karnak project team is developing an interactive publication for broad dissemination and peer review. IDRE contact: Lisa M. Snyder. Project participants: Elaine Sullivan (Project manager and lead author, UCSC) and Joy Guey (UCLA DH undergraduate). Project website.
UEE
PI: Willeke Wendrich (Near Eastern Languages and Cultures)
The UCLA Encyclopedia of Egyptology (UEE) is a born-digital publication funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities that provides rich, peer-reviewed content on Egyptian history, art, archaeology, geography, religion, and language. Articles are available both through a interactive geo-spatial interface and as text documents through UC’seScholarship.
The beta version of the website is available for preliminary user testing: UEE Beta Version