Implementation of knowledge use and management

Knowledge based software agents

Work in this area involves the creation, collection, propagation and use of knowledge between distributed modelling tools working in an integrated modelling environment. The work is based on the use of knowledge based software agents that can communicate intelligently with each other without human intervention in order to facilitate an efficient and effective design process.

Modelling tools

Typical scenarios might include modelling tools for safety, process design, and plant layout. Each tool having an agent watching the progress of the tool and developing higher level 'knowledge' about the design as the data is generated. Each tool agent would then 'broadcast' to other relevant agents the status of the design. Typically this might be through the use of Knowledge Query Manipulation Language (KQML) as the knowledge exchange language.

Our approach

As an example, processes may link a furnace pre-heater with a distillation system. Layout would act to achieve an optimum plant layout but safety would intervene to alert layout of the dangers of co-location of flames and distillation units. The EDC has extensive experience of work in this area.

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Commercial Research at Newcastle University

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Highlight for April 2008

Integrated Modelling for Strategic Planning

Strategic planning for sustainability requires complex systems to be modelled.

Because of this complexity, it is unrealistic to develop new and comprehensive models for each of the numerous possible situations likely to be encountered. Many models already exist ...

more ...

Previous highlights

About the Events Diary

Upcoming seminars

The EDC often hosts, arranges or is associated with a wide variety of seminars related to its activities.

These seminars (often in association with an engineering institute) are always open to students and staff at the university and often to the public.

Upcoming events will be listed on this website in the future. Please check back from time to time for updates.