RENO — A new online numerical methods laboratory that is freely accessible to students, teachers and the public will make it easier for everyone to learn and use modern techniques of scientific computing without having to purchase expensive software or computers, said Pavel Solin, a faculty member in the math and statistics department in the University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Science.

The interactive online lab offers a large variety of modern numerical methods ranging from elementary techniques, such as rootfinding, interpolation or numerical integration, to cutting-edge adaptive higher-order finite element methods for large-scale scientific applications.

“Users can either adjust existing programs or implement their own from scratch,” Solin said. “They can keep their work for themselves inside their accounts, or make it public and share it with others. In addition, we are currently working on developing applications to show the power of sophisticated mathematical modeling and computing to K-12 students.”

Traditionally, universities have been buying expensive licenses for commercial software, Solin said, but this online lab is accessible in any web browser.

The computations are done remotely on a UNR computer system, so the users can compute using iPhones, PDAs and other nonstandard platforms. The publicly accessible online lab can be used by anyone at home, in school, at the airport or at their favorite coffee shop with enabled WiFi access, Solin said. The online lab is free, and it stays with the students after they leave school and find jobs.

To create a user name and password to access the UNR Online Numerical Methods Lab, go to http://nb.femhub.org.