Maths & Stats / Research / Applied Mathematics
Related pages
Applied mathematics Research Group
The members of the Applied Mathematics group.

Applied mathematics Seminars
The seminar meets at 2pm on Wednesdays.

Applied Mathematics Publications
Recent publications of the group.

Applied Mathematics Preprints

Applied Mathematics Research Areas

Contact person: Associate Professor C. Macaskill (C.Macaskill@maths.usyd.edu.au)

Nonlinear Systems

Nature is inherently nonlinear. Much of its complexity and beauty is reflected in the border between chaos and order. Here unexpected universal structures can lead to a deep understanding not only of nature but also of social systems. The interaction of black holes may be described by the same mathematical theory that describes the stability of Jupiter's Great Red Spot. How this theory extends to predicting optical signals and tracking flame fronts in bushfires is part of the richness of nonlinear mathematics.

Specific research areas: integrable systems, solitons, chaos, asymptotics and perturbation theory

Researchers: C. Cosgrove, C. Cresswell, D. Galloway, G. Gottwald, N. Joshi, L. Poladian, M. Wechselberger.

Mathematical Biosciences

The construction of mathematical models of biological systems is an important and rapidly expanding area of research. Such systems are very complex, but mathematics can serve to elucidate underlying principles and indentify directions for experimental research. A strength of the biology group is the close contacts with experimental groups at Sydney; a very successful collaboration with the Department of Physiology has been in place for over 10 years, leading to the award of competitive research grants totalling over 1.25 million dollars.

Specific research areas: social insects, biological pattern formation, communication in neurons and neural systems, synaptic function, autonomic nervous system, phylogenetics, biomedical ultrasound

Researchers: L. Farnell, B. Gibson, G. Gottwald, N. Joshi, M. Myerscough, L. Poladian, J. Robinson, R. Thompson, M. Wechselberger.

Astrophysical and Geophysical Modelling

The group is concerned with analytical and computational modelling of planetary and stellar atmospheres and interiors (in particular the solar atmosphere, and the Earth's core, oceans and atmosphere). The complexity of these systems poses a challenge to find appropriate models, numerically integrate these models and to analyse real world data.

Specific research areas: nonlinear waves, numerical methods, chaotic advection, oceanography, stellar and planetary dynamo theory, magnetohydrodynamics, geomagnetism

Researchers: D. Galloway, C. Durrant, G. Gottwald, D. Ivers, R. James, C. Macaskill, P. Wilson, D.E. Winch.

Industrial Modelling

Applied mathematics has proven to be successful in improving and modifying existing industrial processes, and designing new industrial methods.

Specific research areas: combustion, steel-rolling, yarn production, continuum mechanics, manufacturing optical fibres, genetic algorithms for design and optimization.

Researchers: B. Fraser, Brian Gray, C. Macaskill, L. Poladian.