Welcome to the World of SINTEF Applied Mathematics!

Author(s):  
Tore Gimse
Author(s):  
Alain Goriely

Models are central to the world of applied mathematics. In its simplest sense, a model is an abstract representation of a system developed in order to answer specific questions or gain insight into a phenomenon. In general, we expect a model to be based on sound principles, to be mathematically consistent, and to have some predictive or insight value. Models are the ultimate form of quantification since all variables and parameters that appear must be properly defined and quantified for the equations to make sense. ‘Do you believe in models? Simplicity and complexity’ discusses the complexity of models; the steps involved in developing mathematical models—the physics paradigm; and collaborative mathematical modelling.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 72-82
Author(s):  
Stephen Perry ◽  

When we mathematically model natural phenomena, there is an assumption concerning how the mathematics relates to the actual phenomenon in question. This assumption is that mathematics represents the world by “mapping on” to it. I argue that this assumption of mapping, or correspondence between mathematics and natural phenomena, breaks down when we ignore the fine grain of our physical concepts. I show that this is a source of trouble for the mapping account of applied mathematics, using the case of Prandtl’s Boundary Layer solution to the Navier-Stokes equations.


Author(s):  
Nanda Poddar ◽  
Subham Dhar ◽  
Kajal Kumar Mondal ◽  
Gourab Saha

In the present time, the biggest problem of the world is the outbreak of novel coronavirus. Novel coronavirus (COVID-19), this one name has become a part of our daily lives over the past few months. Beyond the boundaries of medical science, coronavirus is now the main subject of research in all fields like Applied Mathematics, Economy, Philosophy, Sociology, Politics upto living room. The epidemic has brought unimaginable changes in our traditional habits and daily routines. Thousands of people in our country are fighting with the rest of the world to survive in various new situations. There are different kinds of coronavirus appeared in different times. In this time, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). This virus was first identified towards the end of 2019 in the city of Wuhan in the province of Hubei in China. Within very short duration of time and very fast, it has spread throughout a large part of the world. In this study, the main aim is to investigate the spreading rate, death rate, recovery rate due to corona virus infection and to study the future of the coronavirus in India by using mathematical modeling based on the previous data. Mathematical models, in this situation, are the important tools in recruiting effective strategies to fight this epidemic. India is at high risk of spreading the disease and is facing many losses in socio-economic aspects. With current infection rates and existing levels of personal alertness, the number of infected people in India will increase at least in the next three months. Proper social awareness, maintain of social distance, large rate of testing and separation may break the chain of the Coronavirus-2.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 353-366
Author(s):  
Milagros Del Valle Morales Rangel

Applied mathematics is part of undergraduate and postgraduate university education. From this perspective, this essay aims to study the psychological effects, economic and, educational effects upon the population caused by a crisis scenario as COVID-19. The mathematical theories developed in this essay are Chaos Theory, Markov Chains, and Nash Theory. COVID-19 has spread throughout the world, affecting populations, and countries, without distinction of race, economic, political, or socio-cultural position. The impact that COVID-19 has caused on the world population could be measured, in the medium and long term, through changes in psychological behavior, social, health, economic and educational habits. This impact will leave deep traces and moral dilemmas that will permit prioritize which areas address and the political effort directed to each one.


Author(s):  
John Z. Shi

George Keith Batchelor (1920–2000, FRS 1957) was a towering figure in the twentieth century international fluid mechanics community. Much has been written about him since his death. This article presents an account of Batchelor's early interactions and relationships with Chinese fluid dynamicists and his continuing inspirational influence on them, which have not yet been documented in English. The theory of homogeneous turbulence, to which Batchelor contributed greatly, has had both indirect and direct inspirational influence on generations of Chinese fluid dynamicists, as they have sought to make their own contributions. Batchelor made visits to China in 1980 and 1983. His first ice-breaking trip to China in April 1980 is of special importance to Sino-British fluid mechanics and to China, even though Batchelor did not speak about turbulence but instead about his more recent research interest, microhydrodynamics. Batchelor's philosophical view of applied mathematics (fluid mechanics)—that ‘You have got to inject some physical thinking as well as mathematical thinking’—has had great inspirational influence on generations of fluid dynamicists in the UK, in China, and around the world. Batchelor's generosity of spirit and frugality of habit is warmly remembered by his students and Chinese friends. The author presents details of Batchelor's interaction with Chinese fluid dynamicists in the 1980s within the general context of the scientific relationship between China and the UK.


Since 1969, the international chemistry community has only held conferences on the topic of the Periodic Table three times, and the 2012 conference in Cusco, Peru was the first in almost a decade. The conference was highly interdisciplinary, featuring papers on geology, physics, mathematical and theoretical chemistry, the history and philosophy of chemistry, and chemical education, from the most reputable Periodic Table scholars across the world. Eric Scerri and Guillermo Restrepo have collected fifteen of the strongest papers presented at this conference, from the most notable Periodic Table scholars. The collected volume will contain pieces on chemistry, philosophy of science, applied mathematics, and science education.


2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 351-351

We wish to express our sincere condolences to the family of Vladimir Entov, who died on April 10th 2008. Professor Entov was an Editor of the European Journal of Applied Mathematics from 1994 to 2007. He was a brilliant scientist and a staunch supporter of this journal, and will be greatly missed by his many friends and colleagues around the world.Sam Howison, Andrew Lacey, and Michael WardCo-Editors in Chief, European Journal of Applied Mathematics


1969 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-83
Author(s):  
Stephen Perry

When we mathematically model natural phenomena, there is an assumption concerning how the mathematics relates to the actual phenomenon in question. This assumption is that mathematics represents the world by “mapping on” to it. I argue that this assumption of mapping, or correspondence between mathematics and natural phenomena, breaks down when we ignore the fine grain of our physical concepts. I show that this is a source of trouble for the mapping account of applied mathematics, using the case of Prandtl’s Boundary Layer solution to the Navier-Stokes equations.


What distinguishes modem physics from classical physics is the recognition of the role of fundamental (or universal) constants. Mathematical physics must be formulated so as to admit such constants; that is what distinguishes it from other applied mathematics. It is the particular values actually possessed by the constants that make our Universe what it is. Some analysis of this whole situation is the theme of this Discussion. We contemplate essentially dimensionless constants, or, equivalently, constants expressed in natural units which exist because the constants exist. Naturally, however, values expressed in ' practical ' units are an indispensable convenience. The domain is one in which observation and theory are inseparable. For instance, had general relativity come without newtonian theory having been thought of, we should not have heard of the gravitational constant G . In this Discussion we learn about observations designed to test whether G varies with time. Now exactly the same observational procedures could be performed by astronomers who had never heard of G . They would express the purpose of the observations in other language. But this language would depend again on whether they had heard of cosmic time or not. Actually, however, in practice a different theoretical approach would probably have led to somewhat differently designed observations. Anyhow, the contemplation of such an example serves to illustrate how theory and observation interact. At any point in our deliberation, it therefore seems inevitable that we should speak in terms of some definite theoretical model of the world of experience. There appears, however, to be no meaning in supposing there to exist a unique final model that we are trying to discover. We construct a model, we do not discover it.


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