Centre for Plasma Astrophysics: Latest News

First LMCC workshop, 8-9 September 2009

On 8-9 september 2009, the Leuven Mathematical modeling and Computational science Centre (LMCC) will host an international workshop on the cross-disciplinary theme of multi-scale, multi-physics modeling. The various research lines joined in this research centre develop and apply advanced mathematical models in a variety of scientific disciplines, ranging from space plasma modeling to computational chemistry, biological tissue modeling to flow computations in various engineering applications. A recurring theme in the most challenging of these applications is to be able to couple dynamics happening across intrinsically different sizes and timescales. E.g. in the context of space plasmas, the physics of the space environment connecting the Earth and our Sun requires handling a multiplicity of temporal and spatial scales ranging from the microscopic physics where the single charged particles (electrons and ions) interact with each other and with local electric and magnetic fluctuations, to the macroscopic scales encompassing the whole solar system. In biological applications, dynamic modelling of human cells, cell aggregates and tissue calls for a more comprehensive understanding of tissue patterning processes, particularly processes that arise in response to environmental conditions. Starting from a single cell, with its clear physical boundary of the cell membrane, it becomes appropriate to scale down to lower levels within the cell if necessary, and to scale up to the tissue and organ level. Translated into algorithmic, mathematical descriptions, one encounters a need for deploying hierarchical algorithms where a multiplicity of physics models must be handled in a single scale-encompassing description. This often leads to state-of-the-art numerical approaches, and it is the ambition of this workshop to bring experts in various disciplines together for a fruitful interaction with ongoing LMCC research efforts, national and international peers, and thereby promote the mutual exchange of ideas and expertise.
More information can be found on the worskshop website.

Stefaan Poedts at the launch of the new Intel Xeon 5500 processor - Mar 2009

On 2009, March 31, Intel has presented its latest, revolutionary series of processors: the Xeon 5500 series. According to Intel, this new architecture is their most innovative product since the introduction of the Pentium series middle 1990s. Several experts in the field of High Performance Computing were invited for a pannel discussion, among who Prof. Dr. Stefaan Poedts of the CPA. The online launch of the Intel Xeon 5500 series was live broadcasted. A replay of the integral emission can be viewed here.

SOTERIA kick-off meeting in Royal Library Brussels - Nov 2008

Giovanni Lapenta is leading a new European effort called SOTERIA (SOlar-TERrestrial Investigations and Archives). The projectrealizes a wide synergy in the fields of solar- space- and geophysics to achieve a higher level of processed data and better understanding of solar and space events having terrestrial impact. The project mobilizes more than 50 experts and significant resources from EU (including new EU member states) for the process, analysis, and interpretation of a large set of relevant data of more than 20 satellites (including 5 ESA missions) and the complementing ground-based data.
The kick-off meeting will be held in conjunction with the ESWW5, on November 17-21, 2008. The programme and additional information on SOTERIA can also be found on the SOTERIA website.

BUKS2009 Workshop in Leuven - April 2009

Stefaan Poedts re-elected as president of the European Solar Physics Division - Sep 2008

At the General Assembly of the Solar Physics Section of the Joint Astrophysics Division of EPS and EAS on 9 September 2008 in Freiburg (during ESPM-12), Stefaan Poedts has been elected as president of the Board of SPS. On September 26, the Executive Committee of EPS decided to upgrade the SPS to an individual European Solar Physics DIVISION and asked Stefaan Poedts, as the first president of this new division, to structure and organise it according to the vision and plans he had displayed during their meeting in Geneva (at CERN).