June 2013
MACSI European Study Group (problem-solving workshop) with Industry, ESGI93, 23rd - 28th June.

Minister of State for Research and Innovation, Sean Sherlock T.D. officially launched the 93rd European Study Group with Industry (ESGI) a week-long intensive problem-solving challenge for industry. Over 100 applied mathematicians from all around the world spent an intense week working on specific, real-world problems that companies presented.

Photographed with Minister Sherlock are Dr Patrick Walsh, CEO, Limerick wave Ltd and his colleague Patrick Kelly

The problems at the workshop were as follows:

• Optimisation of bulk carrier loading and discharge (Rusal Aughinish)
• Performance monitoring of industrial consumer response to Smart Grid initiatives (Electricity Exchange)
• Modelling a wave energy convertor (Limerick Wave)
• Efficient simulation of power distribution systems (UTRC)
• Predicting patterns of customer usage (Nift€ca$h)
• Heart rate monitoring (Analog Devices)

Student Mathematical Modelling Workshop 19th - 21st June

MACSI hosted a 3 day residential workshop providing participants with hands-on experience in the mathematical modelling of real-world problems. Fifty postgraduate and undergraduate students from a number of European countries took part.

Students working on a problem.

April 2013
Women in Mathematics Day, Ireland 30th April 2013

The 4th Women in Mathematics Day, Ireland took place on the 30th April 2013 and was hosted by the School of Education, NUI Galway, in conjunction with the National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and Learning (NCE-MSTL, UL) and the Mathematics Applications Consortium for Science and Industry (MACSI, UL). Sessions included presentations and posters by women active in mathematics, mathematics education and industry, at a variety of career stages. The aim of this event was to bring together those passionate about mathematics and to demonstrate the variety of opportunities available to those engaged in mathematics/mathematics education.

Keynote talks on the day included:

• Dr. Aisling Leavy (Mary Immaculate College) – From Cognition to Counting via the Grand Canyon: An Oblique Look at the Journey of a Mathematics/Statistics Educator.
• Dr. Louise Clune (Rusal Aughinish Alumina) – The Application of Mathematics in Industrial Processes.
• Dr. Terry Maguire (Institute of Technology, Tallaght) – Developing Maths Eyes and Ears.
• Dr. Ita Richardson (University of Limerick) – Women in Science, Engineering and Technology – is our pipeline strong enough to leak?

Congratulations to Alison Sneyd (UCD) who won the postgraduate/early stage researcher threesis competition. Other participants in this competition included Aoibhinn Ní Shuilleabháin (TCD), Ciara Lane (UCC), Alison McNamara (NUIG), Tuoi Vo (UL) and Louise Nolan (NUIG). Participants were required to present their research in three minutes and only using three slides so it was a significant challenge!

The event provided an opportunity to hear some inspirational talks and to informally chat to others at different career stages, while demonstrating the variety of opportunities available to those engaged in mathematics.

Dr Terry Maguire (IT Tallaght) giving a keynote presentation entitled 'Developing Maths Eyes and Ears'Aoibhinn Ní Shuilleabháin (TCD) participating in the 'Threesis Competition'.Ciara Lane (UCC) participating in the 'Threesis Competition'.

Aoibhinn Ní Shuilleabháin (TCD) participating in the 'Threesis Competition'.  

Ciara Lane (UCC) participating in the 'Threesis Competition'.