Ikerbasque News

Ikerbasque researcher: David Pardo

The use of numerical simulations is essential in our modern society

Could you summarize the objective of your work in a sentence?

We employ advanced, highly accurate and robust numerical methods for solving via computer simulations challenging multiphysics applications arising in different areas of knowledge, including the oil-industry, medicine, bio-technology, material sciences and nano-technology.

Your research line is “Multiphysics, Inversion and Petroleum”. Do you plan to find oil in the Basque Country?

No, the idea is not to find oil, but to develop advanced numerical methods that can be used to determine the main properties of the sub-surface via non-invasive techniques. These advanced numerical methods have been historically utilized within the oil industry (to find oil and gas). However, they are also essential to find aquifers, to develop CO2 sequestration methods, and they have applications in other industries (they are used, for example, in magnetic resonances).

How can computational mechanics contribute to the understating of the physical phenomena?

Our work is integrated in the area of "computational mechanics", which studies via numerical simulations different physical phenomena, ranging from electromagnetics to fluid mechanics. The use of numerical simulations is essential in our modern society. For example, just in the last few months we have spoken with companies within the Basque Country that need to design faster trains (computer simulations are needed to predict the behaviour of the train at high-speeds), more efficient windmills, new nano-materials, etc. 

You returned to the Basque Country from the University of Texas at Austin. Which are the main difference from that university and BCAM, the Basque Center for Applied Mathematics in which you are working now?

The University of Texas at Austin is a large and well-established research university that ranks in the top 20 worldwide. Some departments such as Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering (where I worked for four years) ranked as #1 worldwide.

The Basque Center for Applied Mathematics (BCAM) is a young institution (only 15 months of life), which has a tremendous potential, and aims to become a "reference" center of excellence worldwide.