Activity time range: 2012 - 2016
Project leader: Claudio Gentile
Source of funding: European Community
Complex decision-making in enterprises should involve mathematical optimization methods, because a “best choice” has to be made out of a huge number of feasible options. A mathematical description of such decision processes typically involves both “continuous” and “discrete” decisions. If the latter are present, the customary modeling approach is to use integer variables, which are also used to represent all possible nonlinearities, so that the remaining part of the model is linear. This leads to Mixed-Integer Linear Optimization (MILO) problems, which can be handled nowadays by many packages, but are often very difficult to solve.
The difficulty of MILO problems is often due to the fact that objective functions or constraints that are structurally nonlinear (e.g., quadratic) are linearized by introducing new integer variables. In many cases, it was observed that this is not the best way to proceed, as facing the nonlinearity directly without the new variables leads to much better results. Algorithmic technology for the resulting Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Optimization (MINO) problems is still at its early stage.
The present situation is that enterprises facing a MINO problem generally give up due to the lack of efficient solvers, or try to convert it to a MILO one often too hard to be solved in practice. On the other hand, in the academia there is now an increasing expertise in MINO, which is however hardly exported outside due to the lack of interaction with the industrial world. It is the purpose of this project to help satisfy the increasing demand for highly qualified researchers receiving, at the same time, a state-of-the-art scientific training from the academia and hands-on experience with real-world applications from the industry.
The researchers formed within this project, once recruited by an enterprise at the end of their training, will have the potential to apply all the available knowledge to optimize complex decision-making in the real world.
PRIN: Integrated Approaches for Discrete and Non Linear Optimization
Activity time range: 2011 - 2013
Project leader: Claudio Gentile
Source of funding: Ministry of Reserach
The last 40 years have been living proof of a startling development of methodologies for integer and mixed integer linear programs (MILP). As a consequence many
solvers for MILP were produced, both open-source and commercial. These are based on the latest theoretical results on MILP theory and they are being constantly
updated. Even though the development of MILP techniques has not by far reached an end, the area of mixed integer non-liner programs (MINLP) is now a new
frontier. To this area belong some classical optimization problems that can be regarded as an intersection of mixed integer linear (MILP) and continuous non-linear
(NLP) problems. An important example is the Max-Cut problem which is particularly interesting from a theoretical point of view as well as practical, and has been
widely studied using different approaches.
MINLP problems are particularly difficult to solve for two main reasons: first the presence of integrality constraints leads to discontinuities and non-convexities in the
model, second non-linear functions are present. Surprisingly, for a long time, these two aspects have been studied separately by two detached research communities,
the MILP community concentrated on the first aspect and NLP on the second. Only recently the MINLP area has received a significant share of attention. This is
partly due to the major achievements in both the MILP and NLP areas. But also because via MINLP one can model a wider range of complex mathematical structures
and so it is closer to nowadays application needs. For this reason the MINLP area attracts an increasing number of researchers and professionals like chemical and
industrial engineers, operational researchers, physicists, economists, statisticians, computer scientists and mathematicians, who are interested to solve large-scale
MINLP problems. The interest in this area on an international level can be proved looking at two important MINLP workshops that took place in Minneapolis in 2008
(“Institute for Mathematics and its Applications”), and Marseille in 2010 (“Centre International de Rencontres Mathématiques”). But more importantly the presence
of an entire MINLP cluster at the International Symposium of Mathematical Programming (Chicago 2009).
This project is meant to explore different classes of MINLP problems both from a theoretical and algorithmic point of view and following two main guidelines. On the
one hand we intend to investigate new solution methodologies with a special interest for the classical problems that, as we have previously mentioned, happen to
belong to the intersection of MILP and NLP areas. On the other hand we also aim at solving real-life problems for which an MINLP formulation seems to be much
closer to their description in the practical context they arise.
The “methodology” research branch will care for the integration of MILP techniques (that generally address integrality issues) with the case of non-linear functions,
but also the possibility of using NLP techniques (e.g., relaxations and convex programming methods) to improve existing MILP approaches.
The “application” research branch will concentrate mainly on telecommunication, electricity production and distribution, bioinformatics, wave form synthesis for
impulse modulation and finally device physics. These topics are particularly relevant in engineering contexts, but also physics (e.g., spin-glass energy minimization).
Clearly the possibility of reaching these goals in the MINLP area with a significant impact in the applied context (as it has already happened for MILP and NLP) is
subject to the collaboration among researchers that belong to these two communities. An example of collaboration and its benefits is represented, on an international
level, by the joint research project between Carnegie Mellon University and IBM T.J. Watson research center. The project started in 2004 and led to the important
development of open-source software able to solve MINLP convex problems (Bonmin is available through the COIN-OR framework, www.coin-or.org, supported by
INFORMS) and currently consists of the MINLP Cyber-Infrastructure (www.minlp.org), a web-site sponsored by NSF that represents a theoretical and applied
MINLP forum.
Our project follows the same direction joining research units with both MILP and NLP knowledge to obtain relevant methodological insight into the MINLP area
where many of the researchers involved are by now already expert. The research units have a broad theoretical background as well as an effective ability to interact,
and many joint scientific publications as well as other research project can prove this.
COIN - COllaboration and INteroperability for networked enterprises (IP, Integrated Project - FP7-IST216256)
Activity time range: 2008 - 2011
Project leader: Michele Missikoff
Source of funding: European Community
The project aims to integrate, compose and mash-up in a secure and adaptive way existing and innovative to-be developed Enterprise Interoperability and Enterprise Collaboration services.
Project home pageSICMA - SImulation of Crisis Management Activities
Activity time range: 2008 - 2011
Project leader: Andrea De Gaetano
Source of funding: European Community
The project objective is to improve Health Service crisis manager decision-making capabilities. This is achieved through development of SICMA which is an integrated suite of modelling and analysis tools. SICMA provides insight into the collective behaviour of the whole organisation in preparation and response to crisis scenarios.
Project home pageMOTUS
Activity time range: 2008 - 2010
Project leader: Giovanni Felici
Source of funding: CNR
MOTUS is a project financed by INDUSTRIA 2015 and led by Telecom Italia. Its purpose is to develop new tools for info mobility based on new technologies among which new methods to track cellular phone traffic to support vehicle and pedestrian mobility in 6 main Italian cities. The main focus of the project are tourist flows, that will be oriented and guided through the many options offered by the main artistic Italian cities. The project is developed by a large team of research institutes and laboratories (from CNR and Universities) and several private companies.
SINERGIA - Sistema INnovativo di Evoluzione delle tecnologie di Rete per la Gestione Industriale dell'Azienda
Activity time range: 2008 - 2009
Project leader: Michele Missikoff
Source of funding: Domestic private companies
Development of an ontology-based prototype model for supporting the planning and control of a software project, organized in accordance with the RUP methodology.
FLEETS
Activity time range: 2008 - 2009
Project leader: Giovanni Felici
Source of funding: Domestic private companies
Development of a Planning and Optimization of Fleets system that manages the whole life cycle of the vehicles, from planning to disposal, including both Statutory and Managerial Accounting fulfillments.
Project home pageONTOMAN - Metodologia per la costruzione di bridge sulla base di ONTologie di dominio della MANutenzione impianti industriali
Activity time range: 2007 - 2008
Project leader: Michele Missikoff
Source of funding: Ministry of Reserach
Development of a an ontology-based platform for business documents reconciliation.
LEMAIA - Learning Educational Methodologies: An Innovative Approach (eLearning Programme EACEA, 2007-2008)
Activity time range: 2007 - 2008
Project leader: Michele Missikoff
Source of funding: Other sources
The project’s objective is to provide information and digital literacy on eLearning in collaboration with subject specialists. To this end, it aims at creating a community of teachers developing and exchanging learning objects across Europe by using advanced tools as knowledge management systems and ontology-based tools.
FIRB TOCAI.IT - Tecnologie Orientate alla Conoscenza per Aggregazioni di Imprese in InterneT
Activity time range: 2006 - 2010
Project leader: Anna Formica
Source of funding: Ministry of Reserach
The project aims at developing an integrated group of methodologies, techniques, and software systems based on the most advanced knowledge technologies and suitable to perform on-the-field analysis, specification, implementation, and evaluation of new enterprise organization models in the “internetworked enterprise” perspective. Funds MIUR.
Q@-KIT
Activity time range: 2006 - 2008
Project leader: Carlo Gaibisso
Source of funding: European Community
Dissemination of Quality in Education and Training in a More Competitive and Dynamic Europe.
Project home pageLD-CAST - Local Development Cooperation Actions enabled by Semantic Technology (FP6-2004-IST-4 No. 26919)
Activity time range: 2006 - 2008
Project leader: Michele Missikoff
Source of funding: Domestic private companies
The project aims at enabling cross border cooperation between European chambers of commerce, in order to support the development of private company initiatives.
TMS
Activity time range: 2006 - 2008
Project leader: Giovanni Felici
Source of funding: CNR
Design of a innovative transmission system of a surface propeller for leisure boats; analysis, design and development of the automatic control algorithm of trims and flaps of the transmission system; design and development of an automatic system for the optimization of navigation comfort.
Project home pageONTODEV
Activity time range: 2006 - 2007
Project leader: Michele Missikoff
Source of funding: Ministry of Reserach
Realization of an ontology-based knowledge management platform for supporting territorial development projects.
FIRB
Activity time range: 2005 - 2008
Project leader: Alessandro Bertuzzi
Source of funding: Ministry of Reserach
Metodi dell'analisi matematica in biologia, medicina e ambiente”
CODESNET
Activity time range: 2005 - 2008
Project leader: Maurizio Bielli
Source of funding: European Community
Collaborative enterprises network.
This coordination action was designed to promote the diffusion of the European scientific knowledge on the problem of designing and managing large-scale multi-functional multi-agents collaborative demand & supply networks of production, logistics and service enterprises operating within a common industrial sector. Main activities carried out consist of setting up a common information system with tools, procedures, performance evaluations and best practices in supply and logistics fields. In particular, a Virtual Library was organised in order to collect scientific papers and solution procedures. Then, a Virtual Laboratory provides a benchmark of enterprises clusters in Europe, by presenting an aggregate analysis of their financial, economic, operational structure, the organizational issues, the interactions with the socio-economic environment and the expected development. One of the key contributions is the identification of a number of performances indicators specific for this context.
Project home pageFIRB - Interazione tra regolazione semaforica ed equilibrio di flussi di traffico nelle reti stradali
Activity time range: 2005 - 2008
Project leader: Maurizio Bielli
Source of funding: Ministry of Reserach
The object of the research was to develop a general framework for study, model and solve the problem of optimal road network signal settings, by taking into account the interaction between signal control systems and traffic flow patterns. Therefore, the research has been focused on modelling traffic flows along coordinated arteries and urban networks, on the integration of signal control and dynamic traffic assignment, on advanced models and methods for traffic signal setting and traffic control strategies.
LILLY Services S.A.
Activity time range: 2005 - 2007
Project leader: Andrea De Gaetano
Source of funding: Foreign private companies
Advancement of understanding of the long-term development of diabetes
ADONET
Activity time range: 2004 - 2008
Project leader: Giovanni Rinaldi
Source of funding: European Community
Marie Curie “Algorithm Discrete Optimization Network”
Project home pageHEARTS
Activity time range: 2004 - 2007
Project leader: Andrea De Gaetano
Source of funding: European Community
Health Early Alarm Recognition and Telemonitoring System
ATHENA - Advanced technologies for interoperability of heterogeneous enterprise networks and their applications (FP6-IST-2002-2.3.1.9)
Activity time range: 2004 - 2007
Project leader: Michele Missikoff
Source of funding: European Community
ATHENA aims to be the most comprehensive and systematic European research initiative in IT to remove barriers to interoperability, to transfer and apply the research results in industrial sectors, and to foster a new- networked business culture.
Project home pageINTEROP - Interoperability Research for Networked Enterprises Applications and Software - (IST-2003-508011)
Activity time range: 2003 - 2007
Project leader: Michele Missikoff
Source of funding: European Community
Network of Excellence on the ESA interoperability; an instrument for strengthening excellence of European research in interoperability of enterprise applications, by bringing together the complementary competences needed to develop interoperability in a more global and innovative way.
Project home pageHARMONISE - Tourism Harmonisation Network (IST- 2000-29329)
Activity time range: 2003 - 2005
Project leader: Michele Missikoff
Source of funding: European Community
The project concerns the definition and development of an ontology-based platform for the semantic interoperability of tourism organisation.
Project home pageWEB LEARNING - Web Learning per la qualita' del capitale umano
Activity time range: 2003 - 2004
Project leader: Michele Missikoff
Source of funding: Ministry of Reserach
Study, design and development of methods and tools for web learning, aimed at facilitating the information literacy.
FIRB
Activity time range: 2003 - 2004
Project leader: Caterina De Simone
Source of funding: Ministry of Reserach
Graph colouring problems
BENZENE
Activity time range: 2002 - 2003
Project leader: Salvan A.
Source of funding: Domestic private companies
Genetic polymorphisms and biological monitoring of benzene”, funds “Fondazione Maugeri”
AIRC
Activity time range: 2002 - 2003
Project leader: Salvan A.
Source of funding: Domestic private companies
Epidemiologic study of risk factors for childhood cancer”, funds AIRC (Italian Association for Research on Cancer)
FITOSANITARI
Activity time range: 2002 - 2003
Project leader: Salvan A.
Source of funding: Public Administration
Monitoring of working populations exposed to pesticides. A pilot project”, funds ISS (Italian National Health Institute - Istituto Superiore di Sanità)
IDEAS - Interoperability Developments for Enterprise Application and Software roadmaps (IST-2001-37368)
Activity time range: 2002 - 2003
Project leader: Michele Missikoff
Source of funding: European Community
The main objectives of the project was to create and to manage a Working Group for the definition of a strategic roadmap in the domain of enterprise application and software interoperability for the next ten year.
Project home pageeGOV, Progetto Nazionale di Ricerca con oggetto e-government e enti locali.
Activity time range: 2002 - 2003
Project leader: Michele Missikoff
Source of funding: Ministry of Reserach
The project’s aims are about the definition of a methodology and the realization of a prototype able to support semantic interoperability among administrative processes.
AGENZIA 2000
Activity time range: 2001 - 2003
Project leader: Anna Galluccio
Source of funding: CNR
Algorithms to design and maintain survivable communication networks
Project home pageDONET
Activity time range: 2000 - 2003
Project leader: Giovanni Rinaldi
Source of funding: European Community
Discrete Optimization Network
AGENZIA 2000
Activity time range: 2000 - 2003
Project leader: Claudio Gentile
Source of funding: CNR
Optimization Models and Algorithms for the Production and Distribution of Power Energy in the Free Market
(subproject Polyhedral Methods for Problems arising in Production and Distribution of Power Energy):
Polyhedral methods for Mixed Integer Non Linear Programming. Solution Algorithms for Unit Commitment problems. Models and Algorithms for the design of Bidding Strategies. Dynamic Programming algorithms for ramp constrained Unit Commitment problems.