Two CWI research proposals have received money in the Free Competition 2008 of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) division for Exact Sciences. From 58 entries the research of Bert Gerards into matrices and Marie-Collette van Lieshout’s research into Markov polygonal fields were selected among 13 proposals. Three million euros will be divided between them. In total five mathematics proposals were awarded.
The structure of matrices and efficient algorithms
Many practical problems can be described by networks or by matrices. The efficiency of methods to solve such problems often depends on the structure of such descriptions. For networks this relation between structure and algorithms is explained by the famous and elaborate ‘Graph Minors Theory’ by Robertson and Seymour. Bert Gerards develops such a theory for matrices.
Segmentation and motion analysis using polygonal Markov fields
The research into multi colour polygonal Markov fields aims to solve two important problems in image analysis: segmentation of still images and the determination of depth in video images of moving objects. Mathematics from various disciplines including stochastic geometry and hierarchical Bayesian modelling will be needed and new simulation techniques will be developed.
About the Free Competition
NWO’s free competition is meant for innovative research with a high quality question formulation and with a considerable scientific or applied urgency. The competition is held three times a year, each time dividing three million euros.
More information (in Dutch):
NWO nieuws bericht: ‘Vrije Competitie EW: toekenningen tweede ronde 2008’
