Collaborative Research: MATH-DT: Reduced order modeling and data assimilation for wave-dominated systems with applications to digital twins in ultrasonics

NSF Award Search · 01002526RB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $354,485 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

Millions of patients each year rely on medical procedures that use sound waves to break apart kidney stones or target diseased tissues without surgery. As these technologies advance, so does the need for greater precision, safety, and adaptability in treatment. This project contributes to the development of digital twins — real-time computer models that simulate how sound waves interact with the body and, based on imaging as the procedures unfold, help guide the process. By enabling more accurate and responsive treatments, such models could significantly improve clinical outcomes and reduce costs in noninvasive medicine. Beyond the immediate medical application, the project addresses a broader national need: the development of fast, reliable computational tools for predicting and controlling complex physical systems in real time. These methods are broadly applicable to technologies that rely on wave-based sensing and actuation, including systems in biotechnology, nondestructive materials testing, environmental monitoring, and national defense. The project will also serve as a multidisciplinary training ground for graduate students working at the intersection of applied mathematics, computation, and engineering. The research aims to develop fast, accurate algorithms that simulate how high-frequency waves, such as shock waves or focused ultrasound, propagate through complex, heterogeneous materials. The key technical challenge is that, in many real-world systems, waves must

Key facts

NSF award ID
2529316
Awardee
Southern Methodist University (TX)
SAM.gov UEI
D33QGS3Q3DJ3
PI
Thomas M Hagstrom
Primary program
01002526RB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE & ENGING
Estimated total
$354,485
Funds obligated
$354,485
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
09/01/2025 → 08/31/2028