Environmental computing: Concept, evolution, and challenges

WEI Zeyang; LIU Yi; WANG Chunyan; ZHANG Jia; BIAN Jiang; YAO Linjie; LIN Sijie; EWE Kaijie

doi:10.16511/j.cnki.qhdxxb.2022.21.006

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Journal of Tsinghua University(Science and Technology) ›› 2022, Vol. 62 ›› Issue (12) : 1839-1850. DOI: 10.16511/j.cnki.qhdxxb.2022.21.006

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Environmental computing: Concept, evolution, and challenges

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Abstract

As an emerging interdisciplinary concept, environmental computing is a term used for the quantitative research process of environmental process numerical analysis and (or) environmental data analysis based on computing. Under this conceptual framework, various kinds of environment and computational science integrations are discussed together for ensuring development in this field as well as summarizing advanced research models and methods. This paper introduces the definition and basic characteristics of environmental computing and explains the methodological characteristics of various types of environmental computing based on typical cases. Environmental computing has transitioned from theory-driven to data-driven and then to hybrid computing. The comprehensive computing framework shows considerable advantages compared to conventional approaches or single methods. To achieve significant breakthroughs, researchers need to constantly explore basic theories, including environmental and computational theories, and promote the transformation of environmental thinking to adapt to the frontier content of computational science. Additionally, challenges such as big data theory, technical application scenarios, and computing power also need to be overcome.

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environmental computing / research paradigm / big data / environmental complex systems / theory-driven / data-driven

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WEI Zeyang, LIU Yi, WANG Chunyan, ZHANG Jia, BIAN Jiang, YAO Linjie, LIN Sijie, EWE Kaijie. Environmental computing: Concept, evolution, and challenges[J]. Journal of Tsinghua University(Science and Technology). 2022, 62(12): 1839-1850 https://doi.org/10.16511/j.cnki.qhdxxb.2022.21.006

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