Semantic web based content enrichment and knowledge reuse in E-science

We address the life cycle of semantic web based knowledge management from ontology modelling to instance generation and reuse. We illustrate through a semantic web based knowledge management approach the potential of applying semantic web technologies in GEODISE, an e-Science pilot project in the domain of Engineering Design Search and Optimization (EDSO). In particular, we show how ontologies and semantically enriched instances are acquired through knowledge acquisition and resource annotation. This is illustrated not only in Protégé with an OWL plug-in, but also in a light weight function annotator customized for resource providers to semantically describe their own resources to be published. In terms of reuse, advice mechanisms, in particular a knowledge advisor based on semantic matching, are designed to consume the semantic information and facilitate service discovery, assembly and configuration in a real problem solving environment. An implementation has demonstrated the integration of the advisor in a text mode domain script editor and a GUI mode workflow composition environment. Our research work shows the potential of using semantic web technology to manage and reuse knowledge in e-Science. © Springer-Verlag 2004.