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SUMMARY:Optmisation and Evolution of Networks - Peter Whittle (Cambridge)
DTSTART:20071031T140000Z
DTEND:20071031T150000Z
UID:TALK8604@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Speaker to be confirmed
DESCRIPTION:One cannot optimise the design of a network until its operatin
 g rules have been determined. Ideally\, both optimisations follow from a s
 ingle criterion. It is shown that\, under initially plausible assumptions\
 , the optimal net makes direct source-sink connections\, following the sam
 e rules as for the well-known transportation problem. However\, two consid
 erations radically change these conclusions\, and induce trunking. One is 
 that of variable load\, the other is the costing of environmental intrusio
 n. \n\nIn all but the simplest cases\, computation of the optimal design r
 equires an evolutive treatment of a continuum model. However\, treatment s
 impifies greatly when (and if) a discrete structure begins to emerge. Conn
 ections are made with the optimal design of mechanical structures\, notabl
 y of bone. \n\n
LOCATION:MR12\, CMS\, Wilberforce Road\, Cambridge\, CB3 0WB
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