A typical method of dealing with input and output constraints, especially for PID control, has been the empirical design and implementation of an intuitive solution to an individual plant and its constraints. Such ad hoc solutions perform surprisingly well but often remain in the form of isolated practical know-how without a more general scientific basis.

In the last few decades, multiscale algorithms have become a dominant trend in large-scale scientific computation. Researchers have successfully applied these methods to a wide range of simulation and optimization problems. This book gives a general overview of multiscale algorithms; applications to general combinatorial optimization problems such as graph partitioning and the traveling salesman problem; and VLSICAD applications, including circuit partitioning, placement, and VLSI routing. Additional chapters discuss optimization in reconfigurable computing, convergence in multilevel optimization, and model problems with PDE constraints.

This book summarizes the research of more than a decade. Its early motivation dates back to the eighties and to the memorable talks Dr. C. Moglestue (FHG Freiburg) gave on his Monte-Carlo solutions of the Boltzmann transport equation at the NASECODE conferences in Ireland. At that time numerical semiconductor device modeling basically implied the application of the drift-diffusion model. On the one hand, those talks clearly showed the potential of the Monte-Carlo model for an accurate description of many important transport issues that cannot adequately be addressed by the drift-diffusion approximation. On the other hand, they also clearly demonstrated that at that time only very few experts were able to extract useful results from a Monte-Carlo simulator. With this background, Monte-Carlo research activities were started in 1986 at the University of Aachen (RWTH Aachen), Germany. Different to many other Monte-Carlo research groups, the Monte-Carlo research in Aachen took place in an environment of active drift-diffusion and hydrodynamic model development.

This book addresses modeling of systems that are important to the fabrication of three-dimensional microstructures. Selected topics are ion beam micromachining, x-ray lithography, laser chemical vapor deposition, photopolymerization, laser ablation, and thin films. Models simulating the behavior of these systems are presented, graphically illusratted, and discussed in the light of experimental results. Knowledge gained from such models is essential for system operation and optimization. This book is unique in that it focuses on high aspect ratio microtechnology. It will be invaluable to scientists, engineers, graduate students, and manufacturers engaged in research and development for enhancing the accuracy and precision of microfabrication systems for commercial applications.

This book, edited by Potyrailo and Amis, addresses a new paradigm-shifting approach in the search for new materials-Combinatorial Materials Science. One way to consider such an approach is to imagine an adventurous chef who decides to look for new entrees by cooking food ingredients in many pots using different combinations in every pot, and boil­ ing, steaming, or frying them in various ways. Although most of the pots will not have the tastiest food ever devised, some recipes will taste intriguing, and some eventually will lead to a discovery of a new fascinating cuisine. Of course, having a skilled chef design the com­ binatorial formulation will certainly be helpful in ensuring a successful outcome. Similar to food, each engineering material is a complex product of its chemical composition, structure, and processing. Generally, each of these components matters–-change one and you get another material. Most of these "new" materials will be less good than ones we use now since existing materials have been refined with the extensive work of scientists and engi­ neers. At the same time if one prepares diverse materials like our adventurous chef, chang­ ing material composition, processing conditions and time, etc. , some of these materials will be superior to existing ones and a few might represent breakout technology.