Optimization is an inherent activity in the world. Nature optimizes, mostly minimizes, the potential energy of various systems. In engineering and business, humans try to produce smaller, cheaper, lighter, more efficient equipment. In everyday life, efficient organization of transportation, crew assignment, flight scheduling, chip design, are challenging optimization problems. Further examples and applications could be quoted endlessly.
Optimization has also at least two more aspects.
A mathematical model needs to be formulated for a given problem and efficient algorithms need to be developed to find or approximate an optimal solution. Hence the applied aspect of optimization necessitates sophisticated computer science and software engineering knowledge. Recently, an Optimization Seminar series has been started to facilitate the interaction among optimization experts from various McMaster departments and to attract internationally recognized experts. Inco Ltd. The mandate of the new centre is to conduct research on materials used in the automotive industry. There s been considerable interest in new materials for automotive applications for quite some time, states David Wilkinson, Professor and Acting Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.