The Optimization of Flywheels using an Injection Island Genetic Algorithm

New optimization problems arise every day -for instance, what is the quickest path to work? Where and how congested is the road construction? Am I better off riding my bike? If so, what is the shortest path? Sometimes these problems are easily solved, but many engineering problems cannot be handled satisfactorily using traditional optimization methods. Engineering involves a wide class of problems and optimization techniques. Many engineering design approaches such as “ make-it-and-break-it” are simply out-of-date, and have been replaced by computer simulations that exploit various mathematical methods such as the finite element method to avoid costly design iterations. However, even with highspeed supercomputers, this design process can still be hindersome, producing designs that evolve slowly over a long period of time. The next step in the engineering of systems is the automation of optimization through computer simulation. If the desired performance factors for the system can be appropriately captured, then optimization over them is simply engineering on a grander scale.