This set of pages contain the content of the Industrial Mathematics KTN Annual Report for 2006.

Printed copies of the Annual Report are available on request from Gillian Hoyle.

Introduction

The Industrial Mathematics Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) is boosting dramatically the innovation performance of UK businesses through the wider use of mathematics.

Mathematical modelling, simulation and analysis are indispensable tools for accelerating business innovation. They bring fresh approaches to problems in design, product and service development, operations and strategy. Their power is enhanced by the unparalleled versatility of mathematical thinking. This allows us to address challenges across all business sectors and across all aspects of company activity. Our breadth of coverage unlocks a further competitive advantage for our industrial partners, through the ability to transfer and adapt techniques that underpin similar problems in other areas of application. We put an emphasis on bringing fresh thinking to difficult problems and delivering results in ways that can be rapidly embedded in a corporate environment.

The Industrial Mathematics KTN was launched in February 2006, with grant funding from the Department of Trade and Industry. It is managed by the Smith Institute for Industrial Mathematics and System Engineering. The network is a key element in the UK’s cross-governmental Technology Programme, where it is leading the development of the associated Technology Strategy for Modelling and Simulation.

How We Work

We understand how companies work. We understand their need to solve real problems and to identify and evaluate new business opportunities. Our team of experienced Technology Translators provides companies with a flexible first point of contact, where we match business requirements with mathematical know-how and turn mathematical results into exploitable actions.

The KTN incorporates unparalleled connections into the mathematical science base. Our company partners have easy access to the cutting-edge ideas and experience of the UK’s world-leading industrial mathematicians. By bringing leading university research groups into close contact with strategic business agendas, we build the collaborative relationships that will underpin innovation performance in the long term.