ECMS 2010 Proceedings edited by A Bargiela S A Ali D Crowley E J H Kerckhoffs

Abstract

PREFACEThe European Conference on Modelling and Simulation has provided, over the years, a forum for scientific discussions for simulationists from Europe, Asia, Australia, North and South America and Africa. It is this broad international participation at the ECMS conferences that has prompted a bold change of venue for the ECMS2010. This year's conference, the 24 th ECMS is held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and is hosted by the University of Nottingham.Organised under the headline "Simulation Meets Global Challenges" the conference emphasises the fact that in today's economy and society the most challenging problems have a global nature. The availability of energy sources and water supply, the challenges of logistics, food production and environmental sustainability are all global concerns. This is why the conference emphasises the importance of networking of individuals and research organisations addressing the same issues from different geographical and disciplinary perspectives. With the outsourcing of much of industrial production from Europe and the USA to developing countries in Asia there is much to be gained from exchanging experiences relating to social and environmental impact of industrialization; so as to build simulation models that can serve as a reliable source of foresight in decision-making processes.The University of Nottingham, Malaysia Campus is pleased to host the conference as its focus relates closely to the University's commitment to providing our students with a global perspective on real-world problems.The ECMS 2010 is organised around 10 thematic tracks, which highlight the breadth and relevance of simulation modelling methodology to problem solving. The thematic tracks such as Agent-Based Simulation, Simulation of Complex Systems, Multi-Resolution and Granular Modelling and Intelligent Systems Simulation provide theoretical underpinnings for a broad range of applications while the tracks such as Simulation in Industry, Business and Services, Simulation in Electrical and Electromechanical Engineering and Simulation and Control of Technological Processes provide a forum for the discussion of domain-specific simulation results. However, the list of application areas represented by the conference tracks is not exhaustive and the conference programme includes some papers dealing with computer simulations in agriculture and crop science which are certain to become much more prominent in future.The track record of 24 years of ECMS conferences is rooted in the vibrancy of the international community of simulationists who play a key role in helping to understand complex real-life problems through simulation modelling studies. We, the organisers of the ECMS2010, are confident that the cross-fertilisation of ideas afforded through formal presentations and informal discussions at the conference will provide a step forward in tackling global challenges.We wish all participants a fruitful conference and an enjoyable stay in Kuala Lumpur. Andrzej Bargiela General Conference and Programme Chair Vir...