Optimisation and Logistics
Our Optimisation and Logistics research group applies specialised computing techniques to solve complex and restrained process-optimisation problems and enhance efficiencies.
These methods can be applied in any industry including to:
- plan delivery trucks’ daily routes
- assist with long-term mining decisions
- design wind turbines and farms
- customise program code for energy consumption
Techniques central to the group’s research include:
- linear programming
- ‘branch and bound’ algorithm design
- genetic algorithms
- evolution strategies
- genetic programming
- ant colony optimisation
- particle swarm optimisation
- local search
We focus on:
- constraint-handling techniques
- multi-objectivity
- dynamic environments
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Research impact
Our Optimisation and Logistics group’s research aims to analyse and theorise heuristic methods, and apply such algorithms to solve an array of real-world problems.
This includes in relation to:
- integrated planning
- scheduling decision-support systems relating to supply-chain operations
- developing new algorithms for renewable energy and software engineering
- mechanism design and social choice
- developing new approaches for dealing with game theoretic problems
Our research has had far-reaching impact. It led, for example, to team member Emeritus Professor Zbigniew Michalewicz founding the following companies:
- NuTech Solutions, which creates technology solutions to predict business changes and help companies prepare for them
- SolveIT Software (acquired by Schneider Electric), which uses artificial intelligence to manage complex operations
- Complexica, which develops artificial intelligence software to help organisations increase revenue, margin and productivity through automated analytics
The group is also prevalent in the electromagnetic domain, addressing inverse soil-quality-measurement problems.
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Lead researchers
Research team Expertise Professor Frank Neumann Optimisation and logistics; Machine learning and artificial intelligence Dr Aneta Neumann Optimisation and logistics; Machine learning and artificial intelligence Dr Mingyu Guo Optimisation and logistics; Machine learning and artificial intelligence -
Consulting services
We provide consulting services to numerous companies from a range of industries. We can assist with employees’ training, and long-term strategic capacity-building projects.
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Collaboration
We collaborate with various industry and government organisations, including:
- Carnegie Clean Energy
- Complexica
- Daitum
- Duke University, Durham (USA)
- Ecole Polytechnique, Paris (France)
- Hasso Plattner Institute, Potsdam (Germany)
- Inria Saclay, Paris (France)
- Nara Institute of Science and Technology (Japan)
- Optimatics
- Schneider Electric (previously SolveIT)
- Sorbonne University, Paris (France)
- TU Berlin (Germany)
- University College London (UK)
- University of Liverpool (UK)
- University of Munster (Germany)
- University of Nottingham (UK)
- University of Sheffield (UK)
Higher degree by research opportunities
Whether you intend to work in research or industry, a higher degree by research can give you a competitive edge throughout your career.
Find out more about studying a Master of Philosophy Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).