Development of a desktop client for a computational engineering software on the Cloud

In the context of the European project CloudSME, ASCOMP is deploying the Computation Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software TransAT into the cloud, so that it can be accessed by a wide range of SMEs dealing with fluid flow and heat transfer simulations for practical engineering problems.

A prototype version is already implemented. The pre-processing (problem setup, grid generation, numerical parameters, etc...) is done on a desktop client implemented in C++. It generates input files that are subsequently uploaded to the cloud. There, CPU-intensive simulations are performed by the numerical solver of TransAT, generating large amounts of output files. The results are downloaded to be post-processed and visualized on the desktop.

Tasks:
The objective of this internship is to consolidate the prototype and improve the workflow to make it more user-friendly and more robust. Performance and robustness tests will be performed and compared with that of the current implementation (the tests were done using a python scripting framework that can be improved and re-used).

Requirements:
- Broad knowledge of computer science and Linux/Unix operating systems (Windows is a plus)
- Programming skills (C++, python is a plus)
- Experience with algorithm implementation and analysis in programming environments
- Creativity, self-motivation, flexibility and ability to work independently

Dates:
Available now, for a duration between 6 and 12 months.

Location:
Zurich, Switzerland. International work environment. Working language is English.

Additional information:
ASCOMP specializes in modeling and simulation techniques for multi-phase and complex fluid flows and heat transfer, with unique expertise in phase change materials and fluids. ASCOMP develops and distributes a world-leading commercial software tool, TransAT, for simulation of complex multi-phase flows.
TransAT focuses on the front end of simulation technology, such as multi-phase flows, complex thermal-fluids flow, immersed surface methods, conjugate heat transfer, phase change, etc. in combinations with advanced turbulence modeling methods like LES and VLES. This has resulted in a tool with unique capabilities to simulate complex multi-phase turbulent flows in large-scale systems.

ASCOMP members are heavily involved in consultancy, interpreted broadly, with small and large companies and research institutions. The consultancy is generally demanded by small companies without sufficient human resources, or by large companies seeking detailed knowledge and expertise in problems in which fluid flow and heat transfer are present: energy conversion, nuclear engineering, oil and gas, microfluidics, renewable energies, environmental engineering, etc...