Future computational trends

The relevance of photonics technology is best measured by its omnipresence. Semiconductor lasers, for example, are found in compact disk players, CD-ROM drives, and bar code scaimers, as well as in data communication systems such as telephone systems. Compound semiconductor-based LEDs utilized in multicolor displays, automobile indicators, and most recendy in traffic lights represent an even bigger market, with approximately 1 biUion in aimual sales. The trend to faster and smaller systems with lower power requirements and lower loss has led toward the development of optical communication and computing systems and thus rapid technological advancement in photonics systems is expected for the future. In this section, compound semiconductor photonics technology is reviewed with a focus on three primary photonic devices LEDs, laser diodes, and detectors. Overviews of other important compound semiconductor-based photonic devices can be found in References 75—78. 

The rest of the chapter is mainly composed of five diverse examples of application of evolutionary developmental methods to problems in engineering and computer science. The chapter concludes with an attempt to foresee some future trends in EDS research and application, followed by a very short story that we hope will entertain and perhaps inspire. 

Kumar, S. and Bentley, P.J. (1999) Computational embryology Past, present and future. In Ghosh, A. and Tsutsui, S. (eds.) Theory and Application of Evolutionary Computation Recent Trends, Springer-Verlag, Berlin. 

D Alessandro DM, Keene FR (2006) Current trends and future challenges in the experimental, theoretical and computational analysis of intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) transitions. Chem Soc Rev 35 424 140... 

A general trend which could be noticed over the last few years and which may be expected to develop further in the near future involves a closer coupling between the use of general tools of computational chemistry (ab initio and semi-empirical quantum chemistry, statistical-mechanical simulations) and relaxation theory. When applied to model systems, the computational chemistry methods have the potential of providing new insights on how to develop theoretical models, as well as of yielding estimates of the parameters occurring in the models. 

It should be clear from the preceding examples that theoretical studies of this type serve not simply to validate computational predictions by detecting potential sources of error, but also to identify the origins of particular spectroscopic characteristics, establish trends, and uncover correlations between structural or electronic features and spectroscopic observables. It remains to be seen in future applications how far this approach can take us in establishing reliable connections between structural parameters and spectroscopic properties for larger and more complex oligonuclear transition metal systems. 

A recent paper1 addressed the future of computer validation. The authors of this paper anticipated how the current industry events and trends would affect computer validation. 

In the following pages we first give brief accounts of the developments in microelectronics, computers and data processing which underpin virtually all modem analytical methods. Secondly some novel methods, which indicate the breadth of the subject and the trends towards high sample throughput and/or complexity of analysis will be described. Finally a major specific analytical problem, re-presenative of many likely to be encountered in the foreseeable future will be discussed. In the space available, selectivity and brevity is essential. Our object is to indicate trends, not to be comprehensive. 

This chapter discusses current research on the use of sulfur in recycled asphaltic concrete pavements. In addition, it describes the results of laboratory tests and theoretical predictions using the latest linear viscoelastic layered pavement analysis methods (15,16) to compare the performance of various sulfur-asphalt concrete pavements with conventional asphalt concrete pavements in a variety of climates. The relationship between pavement distress and performance used in the computer program was established at the AASHTO road test (17). Finally, the results of domestic field tests of sulfur-asphalt pavements are presented along with a discussion of future trends for the utilization of sulfur in the construction of highway pavement materials. 

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