NeuroWizard: A Software Tool for Empirical Modeling of Nonlinear Processes in Engineering Design Optimization

This paper presents an artificial intelligence based software tool, entitled the NeuroWizard, which is intended for the engineering design optimization context. The NeuroWizard software tool leverages artificial neural network algorithms as function approximators for empirical modeling of nonlinear dynamic systems or processes, for which closed-form mathematical models either do not exist or are largely inadequate. The user, assumed to be new to the field of artificial intelligence but otherwise well-versed for engineering design optimization, interacts with the software through a wizard that utilizes the graphical user interface within WindowsTM operating system environment. The wizard is embedded with empirical know-how and heuristics from the domain of artificial neural networks to facilitate a relatively effortless deployment of the software tool for the intended user profile. The architecture for the software tool and its projected role within the design optimization framework are detailed.