Caribbean Artificial Intelligence Group at PUPR

"Simplify, simplify, simplify!"

Current research topics:

Dr.Ing. Armin Zundel

Associate Professor
Caribbean Artificial Intelligence Group Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science
Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico
377 Ponce de León Ave, Hato Rey, PR 00918
Shipping (PO Box 192017 San Juan, PR 00919-2017)
Telephone: (787) 622-8000 ext. 357

Curriculum Vitae

Education

Dr. Ing. (Computer Science)
M.S.C.S, University of Karlsruhe, Germany, 1990 (Haupdiplom)
B.S.C.S. University of Karlsruhe, Germany, 1987 (Vordiplom)

Research Interests

Very large neural networks
Real world problems require large neural networks. Implementing them however results in several problems. When running neural networks on computer clusters, communication has to be optimized, fairness kept, optimal distribution has to be found. In addition the learning process has to be optimized in order to train them in a reasonable amount of time. We do not only look into cluster implementation details, but also investigate if GPUs are a useful methods to improve speed. Architectures of neural network systems are defined and a neural network description language will be developed.
Algorithm learning in neural networks
Neural networks are mostly used for self organization or as classifiers. Simple algorithms like searching in a library requires algorithmic knowledge and several steps of operation. Only few of the models used for neural networks are suitable do learn temporal content. Even fewer allow to keep a state which is the basis for operations done in several steps. We investigate which models of neural networks are best for learning algorithms and also which learning rule has to be applied. In future we will also look into training methods for neural network, to make structural learning for neural networks possible.
Adaptive user interfaces
Web pages are very dynamic in their usage. Often new parts are added that can lead to a completely different usage of the page. Also it is hard to predict initially how a site is to be designed to have maximal impact. In this research field we investigate f.e. how the design of online shops and catalog systems can be adapted and improved based on previous user behavior. Another area of application are long distance education systems. The adaptions can be done on the user level, on the level of a group or for all users. For Web based systems we also investigate generate and test systems where the difference in behavior of the users will be compared when changing the look of the system
Dorner Theory
Integrating ideas about memory and neural connectivity and models with the Dorner Theory about cognitive agent PSI.

Publications

Zundel, A. “Specification and Verification of Communication Protocols with Message-Sequence Charts”, PhD Thesis, Karlsruhe University, 1998, ISBN 3-8265-3581-2.
Zundel, A. “A Method for Designing Correct Communication Protocols using Message-Sequence Charts”, Gesellschaft für Informatic (similar to ACM), Formal Description Techniques for distributed Systems, pages 31-40, 1995.
Zundel, A. “Improving Software Quality Using Assertions”, Gesellschaft für Informatik (similar to ACM), Software Technique Trends, vol. 12, pages 74-78, Nov. 1992.
Ziegler, P., Zundel, A., “Specification, Modeling and Analysis with Petri Nets”, Scientific Collections Lecture Series, University of Karlsruhe, 1993.
Zundel, A., “Development and Evaluation of an Implementation Concept for Enhanced OSI Test Methodology”, Diploma Thesis, IBM, University of Karlsruhe, 1990.
Zundel, A. “Solving the Traveling Salesman Problem with Hopfield Networks”, Technical Report, University of Karlsruhe. 1988.