Mathematics

Mathematics is the foundation of not only technical development but also our understanding of, for example, biological, medical, sociological and economic systems. Research at LiU is focussed into fundamental mathematical research, optimisation, applied mathematics, computational mathematics, mathematical statistics, and teaching methods in mathematics.

Fundamental mathematical research covers widely different parts of mathematics, such as algebra, geometry, graph theory, combinatorics, topology, and several fields of analysis such as differential equations, dynamic systems, function spaces and potential theory.

These fields of mathematics are applied throughout the whole of science, within the natural sciences, medicine, economics and technology. Our focus in fundamental research, however, is often on fundamental scientific questions, with the aim of deepening understanding and developing modern mathematics. The deeper understanding contributes subsequently to many future applications, some of them whose nature is today completely unknown.

Optimisation treats complex decision-making systems with many variables, which makes them difficult to solve. New algorithms and mathematical models are required for truly intractable problems. Applications are found within everything from scheduling and the optimisation of snow ploughing, to planning electrically operated public transport and placing unmanned flying vehicles in communication networks.

Mathematical statistics deals with, for example, multivariate normal distributions in which a model for the expected value (the mean value if an experiment is carried out an infinite number of times) is available, together with a matrix of values that varies in a predictable manner. The methods developed can be applied in many areas in biology, medicine, sociology, technology and economics.
The theory of random number matrices is another field studied. Random number matrices can be used as tools in fields such as financial mathematics, theoretical physics and wireless communication.

Within computational mathematics LiU researchers work with, among other things, time-dependent partial differential equations. These are highly significant in, for example, the simulation of turbulence around aircraft and in simulations in which certain initial conditions are poorly known. One example of application is the design of aircraft, where it is necessary to deliver a simulation with a given, very small margin of error.

Mathematics research is also carried out within areas such as how to use ever-improving methods and models to calculate population growth and magnitude, together with the risk of species extinction and ecological collapse. Researchers are also working to model the human blood stream completely, including the blood vessel walls and the effects of surrounding muscle.

Mathematical teaching theory is a research area in which researchers examine new aids such as tablet computers for teaching maths in special needs schools, and educational methods for children various physical disabilities.

Research

Group picture of Nageswari Shanmugalingam, Anders Björn, Jana Björn and Tomas Sjödin.

Nonlinear Potential Theory

The research group is mainly interested in analysis on metric spaces, and in particular nonlinear potential theory associated with p-harmonic functions and quasiminimizers in Euclidean and metric spaces.

Graphics of the human brain

Research in Mathematics at ITN

Mathematical research is conducted in several areas such as inverse problems with applications in machine learning, medicine, and image processing. As well as computational science, harmonic analysis, integrable systems, and potential theory.

A group of people holding in a jigsaw

Research School in Interdisciplinary Mathematics

The Department of Mathematics offers a doctoral programme for students with a strong mathematical interest who are interested to apply mathematics on practical problems in different fields such as engineering, business, computer science and industry.

News

Jennifer Chepkorir

From poverty to independence and self-sufficiency

On behalf of the government and in collaboration with Sida, MAI and Linköping University create life-changing transformations for both individuals and the world. Jennifer is one who has created change for both herself and the future.

Kaj Holmberg and Roghayeh Hajizadeh

Optimizing of snow removal in cities

Researchers at the Mathematics Department of Linköping University have developed a mathematical model on how snow removal can be optimized in Swedish cities.

Scania electric truck

Electrification of heavy transports requires new thinking

Electrification of heavy transports places new and high demands on planning for vehicle use and charging. Researchers at LiU have launched a project with the final aim of developing calculation software for planning routes for electric trucks.