Methods of Mathematical and ComputationalPhysics for Industry, Science, and Technology

Abstract

Many industrial problems provide scientists with important and challenging problems thatneed to be solved today rather than tomorrow. The key role of mathematical physics, modelling,and computational methodologies in addressing such problems continues to increase. Science hasnever been exogenous to applied research. Gigantic ships and steam engines, repeating catapultof Dionysius and the Antikythera `computer' invented around 80BC are just a few examplesdemonstrating a profound link between theoretical and applied science in the ancient world.Nowadays, many industrial problems are typically approached by groups of researchers who areworking as a team bringing their expertise to the success of the entire enterprise. Since the late1960s several groups of European mathematicians and scientists have started organizing regularmeetings, seeking new challenges from industry and contributing to the solution of importantindustrial problems. In particular, this often took the format of week-long workshops originallyinitiated by the Oxford Study Groups with Industry in 1968. Such workshops are now heldin many European countries (typically under the auspices of the European Study Groups withIndustry—ESGI), as well as in Australia, Canada, the United States, and other countries aroundthe world. Problems given by industrial partners are sometimes very difficult to complete withina week. However, during a week of brainstorming activities these problems inevitably stimulatedeveloping fruitful new ideas, new approaches, and new collaborations. At the same time, thereare cases where as soon as the problem is formulated mathematically, it is relatively easy tosolve. Hence, putting the industrial problem into a mathematical framework, based on physicallaws, often provides a key element to the success. In addition to this important first step, thevalue in such cases is the real, practical applicability of the results obtained for an industrialpartner who presents the problem. Under both outlined scenarios, scientists and mathematiciansare provided with an opportunity to challenge themselves with real-world problems and to worktogether in a team on important industrial issues.This issue is a result of selected contributions by participants of the meeting that tookplace in the Sønderborg area of Denmark, one of the most important centers for informationtechnology, telecommunication and electronics in the country. The meeting was hosted by theUniversity of Southern Denmark in a picturesque area of Southern Jutland. It brought togetherabout 65 participants, among whom were professional mathematicians, engineers, physicists,and industrial participants. The meeting was a truly international one, with delegates from fourmajor Danish Universities, the UK, Norway, Italy, Czech Republic, Turkey, China, Germany,Latvia, Canada, the United States, and Finland.Five challenging projects were presented by leading industrial companies, including Grundfos,Danfoss Industrial Control, Unisensor, and Danfoss Flow Division (now Siemens). The meetingfeatured also the Mathematics for Industry Workshop with several distinguished internationalspeakers. This volume of Journal of Physics: Conference Series on `Methods of Mathematical and Computational Physics forIndustry, Science, and Technology' contains contributions from some of the participants of theworkshop as well as the papers produced as a result of collaborative efforts with the abovementioned industrial companies. We would like to thank all authors and participants for theircontributions and for bearing with us during the review process and preparation of this issue.We thank also all our referees for their timely and detailed reports. The publication of theproceedings of this meeting in Denmark was delayed due to problems with a previous publisher.We are very grateful that Journal of Physics: Conference Series kindly agreed to publish theproceedings rapidly at this late stage.As industrial problems become increasingly multidisciplinary, their successful solutionsare often contingent on effective collaborative efforts between scientists, mathematicians,industrialists, and engineers. This volume has provided several examples of suchcollaborative efforts in the context of real-world industrial problems along with the analysisof important physics-based mathematical models applicable in a range of industrial contexts.Roderick V N Melnik,Professor of Mathematical Modelling,Syddansk Universitet (Denmark) andProfessor and Canada Research Chair,Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, CanadaE-mail: rmelnik@wlu.ca Frands Voss,Director of the Mads Clausen Institute,Syddansk Universitet (Denmark)