Guofeng Wang, PhD

Phone: 412-624-3325
Email:guw8@pitt.edu

The Computational Materials Science Lab, directed by Guofeng Wang, PhD, focuses on developing and applying multiscale computational methods for the acceleration, achievement, and amplification of scientific discoveries in material science. The employed multiscale computational methods include electronic structure calculation, atomistic dynamic modeling, and finite element analysis. Current research projects in the lab include (a) developing novel electro-catalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, (b) simulating surface segregation phenomena in various alloy systems, (c) modeling mechanical deformation process in nanomaterials, (d) investigating material failure mechanisms in rechargeable Li-ion battery, and (e) studying the structure/property relation of polymer materials. In the current laboratory, there are eight Dell Precision quad-core workstations for code development and software evaluation. Moreover, the lab can access the high performance computing clusters managed by the Center for Simulation & Modeling at the University of Pittsburgh. 

The Computational Optimization Laboratory contains state-of-the-art computing facilities including several optimization software packages. The laboratory is used for applied research thrusts as well as course instruction. Techniques employed include linear and mixed-integer programming, network flows, nonlinear programming, stochastic programming, Markov decision processes, and heuristic optimization. The applications include medical decision making, facility layout, energy modeling, supply chain management and scheduling. The goals of this laboratory include applying optimization techniques to industrial problems, developing new algorithms for solving specially-structured problems, and teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Spandan Maiti, PhD

Email:spm54@pitt.edu

Primary research interest of the Computational Solid Mechanics Laboratory, led by Spandan Maiti, is predictive modeling and simulation of fracture and failure of complex materials. We study the evolution and ultimate failure of these materials operating in a multi-physics milieu. A general objective of our research is to provide quantitative descriptions of the relationship between the measurable features of the microstructure of materials systems and their macroscopic failure response. We employ a full suite of experimentally validated theoretical and numerical tools to achieve this feat. We develop advanced theoretical techniques, numerical algorithms, and novel computational frameworks to conduct large-scale modeling and simulation of materials response. The emphasis of our research is on the investigation and prediction of physical aspects of materials behavior, for which we often need to develop novel numerical techniques. Our lab is well equipped with state of the art hardware and software facilities, and is located at the Biotech Center of the University of Pittsburgh. Currently our research activities span two application areas: A) Biomechanical behavior of native tissues and biodevices and B) Electro-chemo-mechanical response of advanced energy storage materials. Our effort is directed to unlock fundamental mechanisms responsible for damage, tear, and ultimate failure of these complex materials subjected to not only normal, but also altered multi-physics operating environment.

Peyman Givi, PhD

Phone: 412-624-9605
Email: pgivi@pitt.edu

The primary objective of the Computational Transport Phenomena Laboratory, under the direction of Peyman Givi, PhD, is to conduct theoretical research in fluid mechanics, combustion, heat and mass transfer, applied mathematics, and numerical methods. The emphasis of current research in this laboratory is on "understanding physics" rather than "developing numerical algorithms."

Several areas of current investigations are turbulent mixing, chemically reacting flows, high-speed combustion and propulsion, transition and turbulence, nano-scale heat transfer, magnetohydrodynamics, and plasma physics. The numerical methodologies in use consist of spectral methods (collocation, Galerkin), variety of finite difference, finite volume and finite element schemes, Lagrangian methods, and many hybrid methods such as spectral-finite element and spectral-finite difference schemes. The laboratory is equipped with high-speed mini-supercomputers, graphic systems, and state-of-the-art hardware and software for "flow visualization." Most computations require the use of off-site supercomputers (mostly parallel platforms), for which high-speed links are available.

Jun Yang, PhD
junyang@engr.pitt.edu

The Computer Architecture Laboratory in Electrical and Computer Engineering and under the direction of Jun Yang, PhD, is a research laboratory devised to investigate advanced computer microarchitectures, computer system architecture, power/thermal management in computer systems, multi-core microprocessors, memory systems, emerging memory technologies, interconnection networks, 3D integration and hardware security. The lab is equipped with networked high-end multi-processor Linux servers, over 10TB mass network storage and solid state drivers, testing motherboards, and more than a dozen Windows and Linux workstations. The laboratory software consists of state-of-the-art simulation tools from both public domains and in-house developed simulation warehouse. The laboratory is sponsored by NSF, SSOE, and Intel Corporation.

Bopaya Bidanda, PhD

bidanda@pitt.edu

The Computer Laboratory for Innovation and Productivity (CLIP) is a state-of-the-art laboratory that provides IE students access to state-of-the-art industrial engineering software. It allows them to work on projects and enable them to succeed and excel when they join the global workforce. In addition to general University and School software, the lab offers Computer Aided Design, Database, and Productivity Analysis software to students. The Lab mirrors the Holzman Learning Center and allows students to work off-hours on homework and projects.

Ching-Chung Li, PhD

Phone: 412-624-9679
Email:ccl@pitt.edu

The Laboratory for Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, headed by Chin-Chung Li, PhD, supports research in computer vision, pattern recognition, machine learning, and image processing. Current research interests include computer-aided classification of prostate cancer cell images, wavelet-based image super-resolution, and applications of diffusion wavelet to multi-resolution information processing. The laboratory is equipped with PC-based image processing and pattern recognition workstations with associated cameras.

Director: Heng Huang

heng.huang@pitt.edu,

 

The research interests and activities of Data Science Lab lie in the general areas of data science and machine learning with applications in neuroinformatics, smart and connected health, bioinformatics, and precision medicine. The past decade has witnessed a surge of revolutionary breakthroughs in high technology, accompanied with an avalanche of various types of large-scale data, including the social media data from

daily life, the multi-sensory data from assisted living systems, and the imaging genomic and connectome data from human brain. At the same time, data science is facing a great challenge: tons of data, but only flakes of knowledge. The research in the lab highlights the effective mining of current big data for interesting and significant knowledge discovery, and combines rigorous theoretical analysis and emerging application studies with contributing to both academic research and potential commercialized products.

Greg Reed, PhD

Phone: 412-383-9862
Email:gfr3@pitt.edu

The Electric Power Systems Laboratory is part of the Electric Power Initiative's research group within the Swanson School of Engineering's Center for Energy at the University of Pittsburgh. Developed in collaboration with Eaton Corporation through the Pitt-Eaton partnership in electric power systems engineering, this new state-of-the-art facility will be commissioned in 2013 and will is located on the 8 ^th floor of Benedum Engineering Hall on the university's main campus. The lab is complementary and synergistic with Eaton's Power Systems Experience Center (PSEC) in nearby Warrendale, PA. The new Electric Power Systems Lab at Pitt is a multi-use facility for both research and educational activities. The research aspects provide opportunities for faculty and graduate students to perform advanced work in the areas of smart grid and micro-grid technologies and systems, renewable energy systems and integration, controls and communications, automation and relaying, power electronics devices and systems, distribution engineering, power quality, energy management, energy storage, and other emerging power technology areas. The educational components are in conjunction with new course developments in electric power engineering focused on these same emerging areas, utilizing the equipment and technologies of the laboratory. The lab is fully integrated with a new solar energy installation on the roof of Benedum hall, which was completed in fall 2012, and that will be expanded to include micro-wind turbines and natural gas generation - thus, creating a micro-grid environment for the lab, allowing a range of configurations to be incorporated for various research programs. The lab has the capability for alternating current (AC) supply at 480-V, 200-A and a total power capacity of approximately 50 kVA; and for incorporation of low voltage direct current (DC) supply, enabling hybrid AC/DC system configurations and testing.

 

The University of Pittsburgh Energy GRID Institute is a global leader in building the clean and intelligent grid of the future.

www.grid.pitt.edu

www.power.pitt.edu

Director:

 

Gregory Reed, Ph.D.

 

Professor and Director, Center for Energy and the GRID Institute

 

Swanson School of Engineering -- University of Pittsburgh

 

412-389-7503 / gfr3@pitt.edu

 

 

 

 

 

The GRID Institute serves as the nexus for industry and community focused collaborative research, development, demonstration, and deployment to the electric power and energy sector, and facilitates the establishment of public-private partnerships and the acceleration of economic growth and technological leadership.

 

The GRID Institute also encourages greater energy-related reginal opportunities and job creation, and enhances Pitt’s incubator, start-up, and commercialization activities and potential.

 

Located at the Pittsburgh Energy Innovation Center, the GRID Institute includes new laboratories, offices, and incubator spaces, and features the country’s most advanced and capable academic-based high-voltage/high-capacity Electric Power Technologies lab. In addition, the GRID Institute houses the Nano-Materials for Conversion and Energy Storage Lab, and the High-Temperature Energy Materials Testing Lab.