SoftLab—A virtual laboratory for computational science

We describe a newly established research project called SoftLab in the area of computational science and computational engineering. The SoftLab project attempts to link physical laboratory experimentation with computer control and simulation to provide a virtual laboratory for computational science. We describe the overall project objectives and then introduce the three focus projects of SoftLab: Two Chemical Engineering SoftLabs (bioseparation and computational electronics) and a Mechanical Engineering SoftLab (computational mechanics). Preliminary results of our efforts are also described.