Real-time global optimisation for distributed parameter control systems. This project aims to develop real-time optimal control algorithms for distributed parameter systems involving both time and spatial variables and multiple time-delays, with a focus on mining and energy applications. Current optimal control algorithms for such systems are too slow for real-time use and often get trapped at local optima, which can be vastly inferior to the global solution. This project will result in a new op ....Real-time global optimisation for distributed parameter control systems. This project aims to develop real-time optimal control algorithms for distributed parameter systems involving both time and spatial variables and multiple time-delays, with a focus on mining and energy applications. Current optimal control algorithms for such systems are too slow for real-time use and often get trapped at local optima, which can be vastly inferior to the global solution. This project will result in a new optimal control framework, underpinned by recent advances in constraint propagation, switching surface optimisation, and input regularisation. It will result in cutting-edge mathematical tools to complement and exploit new technologies and optimise key processes in natural gas liquefaction and zinc and alumina production, increasing efficiency and reducing the ecological footprint. This project will lead to new cutting-edge control algorithms for replacing the inefficient manual operations endemic in Australia’s natural gas and mineral processing plants.Read moreRead less
Optimal discrete-valued control strategies: A new direction in nonlinear optimal control. The field of optimal control is concerned with finding ways to manipulate systems in the best possible manner. The latest research in optimal control focuses primarily on systems in which the input variables are continuous-valued, yet many real-world systems are controlled via discrete input variables that assume values from a finite set - such as "On/Off", "Open/Closed", "Gear 1/2/3". This project will rev ....Optimal discrete-valued control strategies: A new direction in nonlinear optimal control. The field of optimal control is concerned with finding ways to manipulate systems in the best possible manner. The latest research in optimal control focuses primarily on systems in which the input variables are continuous-valued, yet many real-world systems are controlled via discrete input variables that assume values from a finite set - such as "On/Off", "Open/Closed", "Gear 1/2/3". This project will revolutionise the field of optimal control through the development of new theory and computational tools for optimising discrete input variables in constrained nonlinear systems. The new results will be applied to solve critical problems in the areas of shale-gas extraction, chromatography, pipeline transportation, and micro-robots.Read moreRead less
HYBRID METHODS FOR SOLVING LARGE-SCALE OPTIMISATION PROBLEMS. Mathematical modelling and optimisation plays a crucial role in the advancement of modern business, science and technology. A significant benefit of this project is the development of a range of powerful computational tools for improving the productivity of Australian industry, including: agriculture; communications; defence; manufacturing; mining and petroleum; transport and logistics. These tools will be built upon advances in the f ....HYBRID METHODS FOR SOLVING LARGE-SCALE OPTIMISATION PROBLEMS. Mathematical modelling and optimisation plays a crucial role in the advancement of modern business, science and technology. A significant benefit of this project is the development of a range of powerful computational tools for improving the productivity of Australian industry, including: agriculture; communications; defence; manufacturing; mining and petroleum; transport and logistics. These tools will be built upon advances in the fundamental theory developed by the research team. The resulting high quality publications and associated algorithms will greatly enhance Australia's international scientific reputation and provide Australian industry with new cutting-edge optimisation technology.Read moreRead less
Robust methods for hard optimization problems. Highly advanced industrial and information-based societies depend on complex systems that underpin their infrastructure and technologies. Mathematical modelling and optimization techniques are most frequently deployed for the development and refinement of these systems. This project focuses on an important class of difficult optimization problems that arise in many applications. A significant benefit of this project is the development of a number of ....Robust methods for hard optimization problems. Highly advanced industrial and information-based societies depend on complex systems that underpin their infrastructure and technologies. Mathematical modelling and optimization techniques are most frequently deployed for the development and refinement of these systems. This project focuses on an important class of difficult optimization problems that arise in many applications. A significant benefit of this project is the development of a number of robust methods for these hard optimization problems. These methods will be built upon advances in the fundamental theory developed by the research team. The resulting high quality publications and associated algorithms will greatly enhance Australia's international scientific reputation.Read moreRead less
Application of Optimisation Techniques to the Truck/Loader Selection Problem in Mining. Australia has world class deposits of most major mineral commodities and is a major producer and exporter of coal and many metals. The mining industry has an annual turnover of around $40 billion. A significant component (up to 55%) of mining costs is material handling. This project aims to develop computational tools for determining the best selection of trucks and loaders for the mining operation. To da ....Application of Optimisation Techniques to the Truck/Loader Selection Problem in Mining. Australia has world class deposits of most major mineral commodities and is a major producer and exporter of coal and many metals. The mining industry has an annual turnover of around $40 billion. A significant component (up to 55%) of mining costs is material handling. This project aims to develop computational tools for determining the best selection of trucks and loaders for the mining operation. To date this important problem has not been addressed. Our strategy is to develop accurate mathematical models and cutting edge optimisation techniques for their solution. The research outcomes will have significant outcomes for the mining industry.Read moreRead less
A Computational Study of Nonconvex and Nonlinear Semi-infinite Optimisation Problems in Signal Processing. The operation of filtering is an important part of most modern communication engineering systems. Many important problems, which arise naturally from communications engineering applications, can be formulated as nonconvex optimization problems and nonlinear semi-infinite and/or semi-definite optimization problems. New optimization theory, in combination with novel computationally efficient ....A Computational Study of Nonconvex and Nonlinear Semi-infinite Optimisation Problems in Signal Processing. The operation of filtering is an important part of most modern communication engineering systems. Many important problems, which arise naturally from communications engineering applications, can be formulated as nonconvex optimization problems and nonlinear semi-infinite and/or semi-definite optimization problems. New optimization theory, in combination with novel computationally efficient solution methods, and efficient hardware implementation will be developed. The outcomes will enhance Australia's reputation in this cutting edge research and facilitate opportunity for international collaboration as well as commercial opportunity. The project will also provide an excellent environment for the training of junior researchers in the area.Read moreRead less
Effective computational methods for nonlinear cone optimisation with industrial applications. This project brings together a number of national and international researchers whose combined expertise will focus on solving optimisation problems arising in a range of industries. The work will result in new cutting edge optimisation technology that can benefit industry and the community.
A Robust Optimization Technique for Identifying Geomechanical Parameters Using In-situ Measurements. The aim of this project is to develop a robust optimisation technique for identifying geomechanical parameters for subsequent stability analysis of rock structures in particular open pits. The development involves a novel solution method based on current work in finite element method and large-scale optimisation with partial differential equation constraints. The outcomes of the project will prov ....A Robust Optimization Technique for Identifying Geomechanical Parameters Using In-situ Measurements. The aim of this project is to develop a robust optimisation technique for identifying geomechanical parameters for subsequent stability analysis of rock structures in particular open pits. The development involves a novel solution method based on current work in finite element method and large-scale optimisation with partial differential equation constraints. The outcomes of the project will provide a sophisticated numerical technique for geotechnical engineers/scientists to determine geomechanical parameters accurately from in-situ observation and displacement measurements, leading to the optimal design of rock structures in subsequent analysis.Read moreRead less
Robust Reformulation Methods. Many decision problems in engineering, business and economics are modeled as nonlinear continuous optimization problems. Often these are made difficult by the existence of constraints. In this project, we reformulate such problems as constrained nonsmooth equations, rather than optimization problems, and develop generalized Newton and quasi-Newton methods for solving them. The expected outcomes of this project include a systematic theory of reformulation methods, ....Robust Reformulation Methods. Many decision problems in engineering, business and economics are modeled as nonlinear continuous optimization problems. Often these are made difficult by the existence of constraints. In this project, we reformulate such problems as constrained nonsmooth equations, rather than optimization problems, and develop generalized Newton and quasi-Newton methods for solving them. The expected outcomes of this project include a systematic theory of reformulation methods, and robust and efficient algorithms for solving some important nonlinear continuous optimization problems. There is high potential for applications in engineering, business and finance.Read moreRead less
Optimal Control Computation and Analysis of Switched Systems with State and Control Constraints. DC/DC converters are widely used in power supply systems and hybrid power systems generate cleaner energy. Achieving optimum performance in these applications has high commercial and environmental impacts. New optimal control problems for such practical problems will be formulated and new unified optimization theory and methods for these optimal control problems will be obtained. The outcomes will en ....Optimal Control Computation and Analysis of Switched Systems with State and Control Constraints. DC/DC converters are widely used in power supply systems and hybrid power systems generate cleaner energy. Achieving optimum performance in these applications has high commercial and environmental impacts. New optimal control problems for such practical problems will be formulated and new unified optimization theory and methods for these optimal control problems will be obtained. The outcomes will enhance Australia's reputation in this cutting edge research, and contribute to achieving optimal performance of high commercial and environmental value applications. It will also facilitate international collaboration, and provide an excellent opportunity for research training.Read moreRead less