A Flowchart Scheme for Information Retrieval in ICME Settings

Retrieving desired information about a specific material may either proceed via querying existing data, such as the general Internet or, if the desired information already exists, specifically dedicated databases. If the desired information is not yet available, it has to be determined by employing one or multiple models to compute the data. If multiple models are required for generating the desired information, interoperability between the models plays a vital role. Interoperability between models implies the need to define a flow of information or a “workflow” and also to specify the timing between the different operations of the different models acting on a state or on subsets of a state description. Ultimately getting such workflows well-defined, operational and also extendable to future decision making processes requires taking some structural considerations into account. An instructive approach is seen in the specification of workflows for decision making in different areas where different types of flowchart tools are needed and used to control and guide the workflow. The proposed flowchart scenario is based on the description of a system state whose evolution is influenced by distinct types of phenomena occurring at different scales. The system state further defines the properties which can be extracted from the system state information. Different types of models/tools operate on this state and a generic classification is proposed which is based on the character/functionality of physical equations, such as (i) evolution equations, (ii) property equations, (iii) equilibrium equations, and (iv) conservation equations.