Data-Driven Mathematical Modeling

The group contributes primarily to the following application oriented research topics of WIAS:

Mathematical Models and Methods for Lithium-ion Batteries

In modern lithium-ion batteries, a variety of physicochemical processes occur simultaneously on various size and time scales. To systematically examine their influence and interactions within a battery, mathematical models are developed that represent the respective processes using partial differential equations. Using numerical methods, specific parameters of a battery can be calculated, such as the cell voltage as a function of state of charge. These models are continuously evolving to, for example, account for aging effects. [>> more]

Modeling, Simulation and Optimization for Biomedical Applications

Mathematical models and computational techniques are nowadays utilized in medical sciences for noninvasive diagnostic, diseases characterization, therapy planning, and treatment monitoring. The research at WIAS focuses on efficient and robust models for biological tissues and fluids, on the usage of advanced mathematical models in data assimilation and medical imaging applications, as well as on techniques in optimization, machine learning, and optimal control for decision support in biomedicine. [>> more]

Nonlinear material models, multifunctional materials and hysteresis in continuum mechanics.

Many components in modern equipment rely on specific properties of so-called multifunctional materials. These materials are distinguished by the fact that therein properties like elastic deformability, thermal expansibility, magnetizability, or polarizability interact nontrivially like for instance in a piezo-crystal. At WIAS coupled models describing these properties are developed and analyzed. [>> more]

Optimization Problems in Energy Management

Optimization problems in energy management are concerned with the planning of production and distribution of different energy sources (power, gas), in order to cover a given customer's demand. In this context, the consideration of uncertainties (e.g., loads, meteorological parmeters, prices) in transportation networks represents a major challenge. The aim is to find cost optimal decisions which are robust at the same time with respect to uncertainties. The additional consideration of markets and the physica of energy transport then lead to risk-averse optimal control problems with equilibrium constraints. [>> more]

Simulation and optimization of industrial processes

Industrial processes are currently experiencing their fourth revolution. The entire production process is connected and equipped with sensor technology, which makes huge amounts of data available. Workers are not only supported by technical visualization and information processing, but parts of the decision-making processes are even carried out independently with the help of AI systems. The large amount of data and the fully automated process pose new challenges for mathematics, but offer unprecedented opportunities for optimization algorithms, not only in the optimization of individual production steps, but across the entire value chain. [>> more]

Thermodynamic models for electrochemical systems

The behavior of electrochemical systems is widely investigated with continuum physics models. Applications range from single crystal electrochemistry to lithium batteries and fuel cells, from biological nano-pores to electrolysis and corrosion science, and further. [>> more]

Archive

Further application topics where the institute has expertise in:

Crystal growth under the influence of electromagnetic fields

n order to produce semiconductor components used in computers, mobile phones, laser devices or solar cells, semiconductor (single- and poly-) crystals of high quality are needed. The growth process of such crystals is complex and quite often expensive. It is important to find strategies to reduce the costs of the growth process and to improve the quality of the produced crystals. In this context electromagnetic fields often play an essential role. Applied mathematics, in particular the techniques of modeling, analysis, and simulation, is used to support the development of growth processes. [>> more]

Photovoltaics

This work is focussed on the design of nanostructures and semiconductor simulations in photovoltaics as well as the production of solar silicon. [>> more]

Production of solar silicon

Currently, solar cells are mainly produced by using multi-crystalline silicon. A part of the overall production costs of a usable solar module is due to crystal growth from the silicon melt. The aim of modern crystal growth processes is the reduction of these costs while also improving the quality of the grown crystals. [>> more]

Unwanted precipitates during heat treatment of GaAs single crystals

Before further processing for application in opto-electronic devices, single crystal GaAs wafer must be heat treated. However, arsenic-rich GaAs with a composition corresponding to the congruent melting point, exhibits unwanted arsenic precipitations during the heat treatment. [>> more]