Digital twins for improved dynamic design

该提案的目的是创建一个被称为“数字孪生”的强大验证的虚拟预测工具。这是迫切需要克服当前工业实践中的局限性，这些工业实践越来越依赖基于计算机的大型模型来为风电场，核电站和飞机等系统做出关键的设计和运营决策。数字双胞胎不仅仅是一个数值模型：它是物理系统的“虚拟化”代理版本，由不同保真度的数据模型融合而成，使用不确定性分析，模型简化和实验验证的新技术。在这个项目中，我们将提供变革性的新科学，为英国工业的关键领域产生数字孪生技术：特别是发电，汽车和航空航天。该项目的结果将使行业能够创建数字孪生模型作为现实问题的预测工具，（i）从根本上改进设计方法，从而显著节省成本，（ii）改变关键工业资产的不确定性管理，从而降低相关运营和管理成本。最终，我们设想，这里提出的科学进步将彻底改变工程设计到退役周期，为英国带来广泛的工程应用价值。

The aim of this proposal is to create a robustly-validated virtual prediction tool called a "digital twin". This is urgently needed to overcome limitations in current industrial practice that increasingly rely on large computer-based models to make critical design and operational decisions for systems such as wind farms, nuclear power stations and aircraft. The digital twin is much more than just a numerical model: It is a "virtualised" proxy version of the physical system built from a fusion of data with models of differing fidelity, using novel techniques in uncertainty analysis, model reduction, and experimental validation. In this project, we will deliver the transformative new science required to generate digital twin technology for key sectors of UK industry: specifically power generation, automotive and aerospace. The results from the project will empower industry with the ability to create digital twins as predictive tools for real-world problems that (i) radically improve design methodology leading to significant cost savings, and (ii) transform uncertainty management of key industrial assets, enabling a step change reduction in the associated operation and management costs. Ultimately, we envisage that the scientific advancements proposed here will revolutionise the engineering design-to-decommission cycle for a wide range of engineering applications of value to the UK.