Plume Modeling Simulation and Visualization
PIs: Arie Kaufman and Klaus Mueller
We have adopted a numerical method from computational fluid dynamics, the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM), for real-time simulation and visualization of flow and amorphous phenomena. Unlike other approaches, LBM discretizes the microphysics of local interactions and can handle very complex boundary conditions, such as deep urban canyons, curved walls, indoors, and dynamic boundaries of moving objects. Due to its discrete nature, LBM lends itself to multiresolution approaches, and its computational pattern, which is similar to Cellular Automata, is easily parallelizable. We have accelerated LBM on commodity graphics processing units (GPUs), achieving real-time or even accelerated real-time on a single GPU or on a GPU cluster. Another key innovation of LBM is its extension to support input from pervasive sensors, influencing the simulation so as to maintain its faithfulness to real-time live sensor readings. We have implemented a 3D urban navigation system, featuring a 3D polygonal model GIS with facade texturing, flow visualization streamlines, volume rendering plumes, and information visualization of real-time live sensor data.
We have tested it with a 10-block GIS in the West Village of New York City, overlaid with results of dispersion simulation and realtime readings from 3 meteorological sensors, and with an 851-building area in Times Square of NYC. In addition to a pivotal application in simulation of airborne contaminants in urban environments, our approach will enable the development of other superior prediction simulation capabilities for physically accurate environmental modeling and disaster management.
It will also increase the level of accuracy and speed achievable in visual simulations for the computer graphics industries. It may further lead to a novel technology for computational science and engineering, which has the potential to revolutionize the way scientists and engineers conduct their simulations. (DHS, NASA, Millennium Center)