Mathematic-physical engine: parallel processing for modeling and simulation of physical phenomena

Mathematical modeling of various physical phenomena, ranging from fluid flow to electromagnetic field dynamics, from thermal patterns inside a semiconductor wafer to thermal patterns on a geophysical scale, and from combustion inside an automotive cylinder to ion transport across a biological membrane, is a challenge for the 1990s and beyond. These processes share in common a basic underlying structure in that they are described by systems of partial differential equations. This paper proposes parallel processing concepts for the real time simulation of such physical phenomena. Specifically we present a mathematic-physical engine (MPE) to solve in real time, and to display three-dimensionally, the solution of sets of ordinary or partial differential equations. In fact, different versions of the MPE are discussed ranging from a single commercial parallel machine, to networked supercomputers, to a stacked-wafer dedicated machine to suit the needs of scientists/engineers around the world. High speed networking is proposed for remote usage of an expensive MPE facility. Such a capability can enhance the ability of scientists and engineers to accelerate basic research on the one hand, and product development on the other.<>