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. For example, 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
- other related approaches.
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Research impact
Our research group 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.
We focus on:
- constraint-handling techniques
- multi-objectivity
- dynamic environments.
Our Optimisation and Logistics group’s 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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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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Our researchers
We have expertise across a wide range of areas. Many of our researchers are available to assist with research project supervision for Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy students. To enquire about consulting services or working with us on a research project, please contact the researchers listed below.
Research team
Expertise
Optimisation and logistics; Machine learning and artificial intelligence
Optimisation and logistics; Machine learning and artificial intelligence
Optimisation and logistics; Machine learning and artificial intelligence
Optimisation and logistics; Software engineering; Machine learning and artificial intelligence
Adjunct appointments
Professor Emeritus Zbigniew Michalewicz
Professor Kenneth De Jong
Professor Tobias Friedrich
Professor Marc Schoenauer
Dr Mohammad Reza Bonyadi
Dr Adam Ghandar
Matthew Michalewicz
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Collaborations
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 degrees by research
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 or Doctor of Philosophy.