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SAMSON

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SAMSON: Adaptive system for the modelisation and simulation of nanoscopic objects

Samson is a software platform used in the modeling and simulation of natural or artificial complex nanosystems.

» Description and functionalities

SAMSON’s current version has adaptive simulation algorithms that allow users to design and effeciently analyse nanosystems, by closely combining modeling and simulation.
Other features include several methods for rapid minimization, long-distance interaction calculations, the modeling of symetric structures, and the interactive alignment of models in cryo-EM cards or x-rays.
SAMSON’s uniqueness resides in the integration of simulation methods during the modeling phase: the adaptive and interactive simulation algorithms provide immediate data on the consequences of the modeling selections.

» Performances

• Adaptive simulation algorithms
• Open architecture
• Plugins implementation

» Laboratory

INRIA / Equipe NANO-D réf. 071106_Redon_Nanostudio_ background_08042011

» Target

Integration of a Plug-in in industrial simulation software.

» Application area

SAMSON’s interactive methods have a large number of potential applications in structural biology, medecine design, chemistry, materials, and nanosciences in general.

» Transfert offer

• Patent license
• Software license

» Collaboration sought

Co-development / maturation in specific areas
Integration of a plug-in in the simulation software

» Interview with Stéphane REDON

What motivated your research?

I was studying robotics and became interested in the simulation of rigid objects; so, the next logical step was to look more closely at the simulation of articulated objects. Optimal solutions to resolve the problem of calculating the movement of articulated objects already exist, and I thought that it would be interesting from a formal viewpoint to propose adaptable methods for calculating articulated movement, meaning methods that automatically concentrate the calculations on the right place so that the user may adjust the precision of the simulation.

How can a company implement your innovation?

The model for commercial use is still pretty open. For the time being, this technology allows users to speed up the calculations, and eventually one can imagine an industry similar to the existing one for macroscopic systems. For instance, there are very powerful software products such as Catia, or soliworks, used in the manufacturing of planes and automobiles. Some companies sell this type of software, while others sell software services, or plug-ins, and others carry out simulations for their clients. One can imagine the same type of ecosystem for nanoscopic objects.

What is your working environment like?

At INRIA, in the NANO-D team, we develop algorithms to accelerate calculations. The CEA contributes simulated models. The project brings together physicists and chemists from CEMES (center for the elaboration of materials and structural studies) in Toulouse, a biophysicist algorithmician from IBS, a biologist from the CEA, a biophysicist that carries out quantum mechanical calculations. The heart of the INRIA project is the algorithm.