ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses a number of backward and forward methods for inverse or optimal design. Backward methods, such as the quasi-reversibility method, pseudo-reversibility method, and regularized inverse matrix method, can be used to identify contaminant sources in an enclosed environment. The chapter provides a review of the state of the art of inverse/optimal design methods, shows some examples of their applications, and indicates possible directions for future exploration. Backward methods attempt to solve the inverse Navier-Stokes (NS) equation by a direct inversion such as with a negative time step in the time-marching problems. The chapter discusses the possibility of reducing the computing costs of Computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based design methods. Finally, it presents an overview of this book. The book discusses the CFD-based genetic algorithm method. It examines the CFD-based adjoint method, and explores the CFD-based artificial neural network method.
