$6.9 Million Presagis Gift Advances UCF Modeling and Simulation Research
When a major disaster happens, first responders must quickly assess all aspects of the emergency to know how to respond. But nuclear power plant disasters can be deadly for emergency personnel who face radiation exposure and the unknowns of complicated plant infrastructure.
So University of Central Florida researchers are creating precise models of nuclear power plants, and developing realistic simulations of a variety of emergency scenarios and responses, using high-tech modeling and simulation software donated by Presagis.
The Canadian company’s two-year gift – valued at $6.9 million – opens the door for more graduate-level research by donating the licensing for its modeling, simulation and virtual reality operating systems used at UCF, and brings their in-kind gift value to $17,518,096 since 2012.
The software benefits students in a variety of disciplines at UCF, including graduate students who work with Michael Proctor, associate professor, Industrial Engineering and Management Systems, and co-founder of UCF’s Modeling and Simulation graduate program.
Matt Davis, industrial engineering doctoral student, is using Presagis software to simulate disaster response scenarios with models of nuclear power plants that he developed at UCF.
“My work may sound boring to some people, but I’m motivated to think that my simulations may help save lives, protect the public and help reduce the environmental impact of a nuclear disaster,” Davis said.
Industrial engineering doctoral student Buder Shageer is researching the radiation impact on electronics based on models and simulations of the March 2011 nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima plant in Japan that was triggered by a devastating earthquake and tsunami.
“When officials tried to go back into the containment building in Fukushima, there was a lot of electronic failure,” Shageer said. “I want to shed light on the need for testing and analysis of electronics in a radiated environment so that we may fill a research gap. The Presagis software brings us one step closer to doing that and more.”
UCF is located next to Central Florida Research Park, which has the nation’s highest concentration of companies, military units and government agencies involved in simulation and training, and is home to UCF’s Institute for Simulation and Training. UCF’s modeling and simulation master’s and doctoral degree programs help meet industry need by supplying a pipeline of highly-skilled employees.
“We thank Presagis for their ongoing commitment to UCF,” said Michael Georgiopoulos, dean, UCF College of Engineering & Computer Science. “The software propels our students into cutting-edge research and enriches their educational and professional experience.”
To learn more about UCF’s Modeling and Simulation graduate program, visit http://www.ist.ucf.edu/grad.
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Pictured: Matt Davis, industrial engineering doctoral student, demonstrating how Presagis software is helping him create simulations of nuclear power plants and emergency response scenarios.