Gnowee: A Hybrid Metaheuristic Optimization Algorithm for Constrained, Black Box, Combinatorial Mixed-Integer Design

Abstract

This paper introduces Gnowee, a modular, Python-based, open-source hybrid metaheuristic optimization algorithm (Available from https://github.com/SlaybaughLab/Gnowee). Gnowee is designed for rapid convergence to nearly globally optimum solutions for complex, constrained nuclear engineering problems with mixed-integer and combinatorial design vectors and high-cost, noisy, discontinuous, black box objective function evaluations. Gnowee's hybrid metaheuristic framework is a new combination of a set of diverse, robust heuristics that appropriately balance diversification and intensification strategies across a wide range of optimization problems.This novel algorithm was specifically developed to optimize complex nuclear design problems; the motivating research problem was the design of material stack-ups to modify neutron energy spectra to specific targeted spectra for applications in nuclear medicine, technical nuclear forensics, nuclear physics, etc. However, there are a wider range of potential applications for this algorithm both within the nuclear community and beyond. To demonstrate Gnowee's behavior for a variety of problem types, comparisons between Gnowee and several well-established metaheuristic algorithms are made for a set of eighteen continuous, mixedinteger, and combinatorial benchmarks. These results demonstrate Gnoweee to have superior flexibility and convergence characteristics over a wide range of design spaces. We anticipate this wide range of applicability will make this algorithm desirable for many complex engineering applications.

Performance evaluation of an energy tuning assembly for neutron spectral shaping

“…To avoid a man-power intensive ''trial and error" approach to generating point designs, a software suite to automate the design of ETAs was developed. This resulted in the creation of a new optimization method, Gnowee [14], and a ETA design software, Coues [13].…”