There are more than 7,000 languages in the world. However, for two people to be able to communicate with each other, they must speak the same language. Computers and computer programmes are no different. Concepts such as "ontology" - the language, i.e., a formal specification of common terms - and "semantics" - the study of meaning - are therefore essential for mutual understanding in both cases.
Semantic technologies use ontologies and semantics to facilitate shared conceptualisations between humans and machines/computers. They are used extensively for the World Wide Web and its applications, by billions of people every day. They help machines grasp the meaning behind words and sentences, making it easier to organise and link information. In addition to these everyday applications, ontologies are also used in various other areas. In the field of materials science, however, their application is lagging behind. The use of ontologies in materials development has various advantages: the relatively short time required, lower costs and more sustainable materials. The EU project "OntoTrans" has now closed this gap in research and application.
A communication problem?
For computers to efficiently exchange meaningful semantic information, they must use the same terms or know that different words can have the same meaning. Otherwise, there is room for misunderstanding. Specialised vocabularies and applications enable them to link information and data across computer systems. The automatic exchange of data also makes it possible to discover new connections that can lead to new innovative products.Computers are already widely used in research and industry, but the data and results often have to be interpreted and collated by the researchers themselves. Such manual processes are not only time-consuming but often inefficient and prone to error. "Industry needs computers to identify relationships between a wide range of objects, from chemicals and materials to their processing and the properties of the products," says project coordinator Nadja Adamovic.
A language for data exchange in the field of materials science
"As part of OntoTrans, we have further developed a common ’language’, a so-called ontology, with which data can be described, communicated and reused," explains Adamovic. This facilitates communication between different data systems and knowledge can be stored and searched in an effective way. Semantic technologies for knowledge management can, therefore, speed up the process of material selection and development. "The developed ontology helps to structure the data in such a way that both computers and humans can work with it more efficiently, as it becomes information. These developments are important not least to prepare materials science for the challenges of AI applications," says Florina Piroi from the Data Science research area.An ontology has been developed specifically for materials science that describes topics by combining viewpoints from a broad spectrum of specialist and research areas: The "Elemental Multiperspective Material Ontology" (EMMO). The ontology, which was developed as part of "OntoTrans", is based on EMMO, which is continuously being developed further. The associated benefits in terms of performance and sustainability may be huge. These systems also enable faster responses to customer requests and regulatory changes.
About OntoTrans
In the interdisciplinary research project, natural scientists, data scientists and philosophers from 13 institutions worked together to develop new vocabulary and applications to express and understand today’s research and development challenges in science-based industries.The results will not only be used by OntoTrans users, but also by other EU projects. The " OntoTrans
This work has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement 862136 (OntoTrans).
