Seminario
Aula Seminari edificio RM004, Dipartimento di Scienze di Base e Applicate per l'Ingegneria
Masahiro Yamamoto (The University of Tokyo)
Case studies for solutions of real-world problems by mathematical thinking from steel industry to environmental issues
There is an opinion that mathematics is a pure and abstract discipline of natural sciences, and must be even far away from the real-world issues. On the other hand, mathematics is useful for solving real-world problems around us and is nothing but one convenient tool. I think that both views are too extreme: I would like to demonstrate that it is important that we keep both characters of mathematics as abstract discipline and as useful methods for real-world issues, in order to develop mathematics itself and exert the full power of mathematics for solving practical problems. Mathematics is not only abstract, but is also strong engine for solving concrete problems and creates huge economic effects and serves for the public welfare. Moreover we have witnessed that such application-oriented researches of mathematics have widened and deepened related mathematical theories themselves. In order to understand such aspects, I will describe several applications of mathematics to real-world problems by case studies where I have been working. The case studies include - From iron-making industry: monitoring method for the interior of a blast furance based on inverse problems - Underground diffusion of cesium 137 in the soil after Fukushima Nuclear Disaster: decontamination of farmlands - Time-fractional diffusion equations: recent example of mathematics inspired by real-world problem - Process design for better tasting of cup-noodles: trial without modelling