Agent based scientific simulation and modeling

The simulation and modeling of complex physical systems often involves many components because (i) the physical system itself has components of differ ing natures, (ii) parallel computing strategies require many (somewhat inde pendent) components, and (iii) existing simulation software applies only to simpler geometrical shapes and physical situations. We discuss how agent b ased networks are applied to such multicomponent applications. The network agents are used to (a) control the execution of existing solvers on subcomp onents, (b) mediate between sub-components, and (c) coordinate the executio n of the ensemble. This paper focuses on partial differential equation (PDE ) models as an instance of the approach and describes the implementation of networks using the PELLPACK problem solving environment for PDEs and the B ond system for agent based computing. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.