Applied Mathematics Stories

Inverse modelling – for improved medical imaging and much more

Hanne Kekkonen specialises in the mathematics used to solve inverse problems. Applications include medical imaging, climate change, the evolution of competing languages, materials science and many more.

Neural networks put the afterburners on skin recovery models

First aid for burn injuries is to cool the area for twenty minutes with lukewarm running water. Math can play an important role in choosing the subsequent, often more intensive, treatment aimed at reducing the probability of permanent damage or even disabilities. But these mathematical models for skin recovery must be fast. By applying neural networks, Marianne Schaaphok increased their speed by more than a million times.

Aad van der Vaart: academic globetrotter touches down in Delft

The academic globetrotter Aad van der Vaart will be working in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science to raise the concept of causality – research into cause and effect – to a higher level.

Marieke Kootte

Why do you need Mathematics to charge your phone?

Understanding noise – from quantum fluctuations to climate models

Mark Veraar researches mathematical models to reduce the disruptive influence of noise on all kinds of processes.

Modelling a flexible electricity system

Using numerical analysis, Marieke Kootte is developing a model to link high-voltage and low-voltage distribution networks.

A fresh perspective on potato growth

Requiring less water and less time to grow than rice, corn or wheat, potatoes may well be the answer to the growing worldwide demand for food. But what are the key factors that determine a successful potato harvest? Asked to provide a fresh perspective, Neil Budko develops numerical methods for the analysis of carefully controlled potato growth experiments.

A bit of math to constrain epidemics

Most people like to keep both mathematics and epidemics at a distance. But a little bit of the former can do wonders in limiting the latter. Supervised by professor Kees Vuik, two high school students modelled a recent outbreak of cholera in Ghana. He also has a bachelor student investigating the new corona virus.

A bit of math to constrain epidemics

Tackling tumours using mathematics