The 68th European Study Group with Industry was held at the University of Southampton from 30th March to 3rd April 2009, supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the KTN for Industrial Mathematics.

The Study Group followed the established format of industrial problem presentations on the first day, followed by intensive work on the problems by participants during the next three days and presentations by the academics on the final day. Problems were presented by both large and small companies, on the following topics: Reaction-diffusion models of decontamination; Optimal stopping of friction-braked passenger vehicles; Underreamer mechanics; Controlled decompression for divers; Laser-induced forward transfer; Arc phenomena in low-voltage current-limiting circuit breakers; and Oil price cycles and sensitivity.

New to the Study Group this year was the use of social networks to support industrial mathematics. The ESGI68 social network was designed to allow contributions on each of the problems tackled in Southampton and also on topics of more general interest to the Study Group community. The site contains problem descriptions, discussion areas and the presentations made on the final day of the Study Group. It will soon contain the final reports too. To access the social network content please sign-up, which simply involves filling out a short form, and receiving a confirmatory email from the Industrial Mathematics KTN.

If you are interested in bringing a problem to a future Study Group and wish to receive further details, please contact Dr David Allwright.