Derivative-Free Hybrid Optimization Methods for Solving Simulation-Based Problems in Hydrology

October 6 to October 10, 2008

at the

American Institute of Mathematics, San Jose, California

organized by

Owen Eslinger, Kathleen Fowler, and Genetha Gray

Original Announcement

This workshop will bring together researchers with expertise in simulation-based optimization, sampling techniques, optimization using surrogates, and hydrology to tackle the complex issues that arise in water resources management applications. For example, plume containment, water supply, and parameter estimation problems rely on optimization algorithms working in conjunction with subsurface simulation tools. The inherent challenges, which are in fact present across all engineering disciplines, include black-box, nonlinear objective functions and constraints, and non-convex, disconnected feasible regions. Hybrid optimization methods offer a potential solution to these problems, but require a deeper analysis to understand their applicability.

Our interests are in

Material from the workshop

A list of participants.

The workshop schedule.

A report on the workshop activities.

Papers arising from the workshop:

Optimization of 3D plasmonic crystal structures for refractive index sensing
by  J. Maria, T. T. Truong, J. Yao, Tae-Woo Lee, R. G. Nuzzo, S. Leyffer, S. K. Gray, and J. A. Rogers