Centre for Informatics and Applied Optimization – CIAO
Commercial Capability Statement
CIAO provides state of the art research knowledge for application in commercial, industrial and government sectors. Its expertise lies in the fields of optimization, data mining, health informatics, mathematical and statistical analysis, knowledge modelling, virtual reality and simulation, internet commerce security, and communication technology. It is this expertise that can improve the efficiency and international competitiveness of Australian industry.
Recent projects have been undertaken with industry partners in the areas of energy, defence, education, health, information technology, telecommunications, environment, finance and law.
Located within the School of Information Technology and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Ballarat, CIAO has become a nationally recognised research centre, delivering basic research, applied research and the technologies that underpin applications in these areas. CIAO brings together key fields of research in mathematics and information technology.
Applied Optimization
Industry and government can potentially make significant improvements in productivity and competitiveness by applying new knowledge in optimization and informatics. Researchers in CIAO are world leaders in the development of optimization methods which can be applied to large complex, systems with many variables and which do not rely on assumptions of smoothness and convexity.
Significantly more powerful than many traditional approaches, these methods are capable of addressing problems with thousands of variables to achieve significant productivity benefits. Importantly, tailored algorithms developed by CIAO researchers do not require large-scale computing infrastructure.
Recent work with a major gas producer has the potential to save the organisation many millions of dollars.
Examples where the application of this knowledge can potentially deliver significant benefits to industry and government are in:
- Production and supply of strategic resources (oil, gas, water, power) - Telecommunications infrastructure planning and efficient utilization - Bioinformatics - Pharmaceutical design - Mining - Transportation infrastructure and planning - Risk management - Manufacturing/process engineering
Mathematical Analysis and Optimization
As well as applications dependent on optimization techniques, CIAO has world renowned expertise in mathematical and statistical analysis, which is being applied to major projects in Defence, environment and health. The most up-to-date and powerful of these techniques are available within CIAO, for application to analysis and or problem solving in real world situations.
Current examples of where this knowledge is being applied are in:
- Developing new optimization algorithms - Population sampling - Vegetation analysis and modelling
Data Mining and Decision Support
Organisations collect vast amounts of data on a daily basis. Although they have this “wealth” of data many are frustrated by the difficulties in extracting crucial information from data storages on which to
August 2008 1 base critical decisions. In addition, many are unable to use this data intelligently to discover important relationships and global patterns that exist within.
Researchers within CIAO are using advanced data mining and informatics techniques to extract and analyse data. The extracted data can be used in developing intelligent knowledge based systems. Powerful methods for representing knowledge, such as argument trees, can capture and use knowledge far more effectively than previously utilised rules based systems. An extension of this technology is the development of web based decision support systems which enable global access to knowledge.
CIAO’s area of expertise includes:
- Development of new Data mining tools - Computational intelligence for business applications - Optimal decision analysis - Analysis of data from large databases - Building decision support systems
Health Informatics
Data mining techniques also play a major role in the development of decision support systems in health. An example in using the combined specialised research skills found in CIAO is being applied to the adverse drug reaction project. This project will aid rapid assessment of the association between drugs and adverse drug reactions.
Today, electronic messaging is increasingly being used to transfer health information between the medical profession, hospitals networks and other health care facilities. A key requirement is that messages conform to standards designed to enable interoperability between different databases and information systems. The Collaborative Centre for eHealth (CCeH) assists the health industry to implement HL7 compliant electronic messaging.
Virtual Reality and Simulation
Distributed simulation is an advanced simulation method which provides a unique environment in which distinct simulation elements work together across a network to produce a larger simulation. Importantly, distributed simulation methods enable these different elements to interact in real time allowing for the optimization of the larger system. These simulations significantly reduce costs, improves safety and performance and, compress critical test timeframes.
Research and development is occurring in: - Distributed simulation & HLA - Interoperability - Open Run Time Infrastructure
Communication Technologies
Research focuses on new emerging wireless communication technologies, particularly 802.X family and short range. It aims to drive the practical development of industrial applications through association with industry and academic partners. Communication technologies include WiFi for 3G and 4G (UMTS), 1xRTT and Bluetooth. There exists a need for high speed efficient wireless communication between many items used in every day life. Solutions for the automatic reading of domestic power usage and aged monitoring systems are being developed. Ongoing research and development is occurring in:
- Wireless security - IPv6 and Mobile computing - Application development for wireless devices
Internet Commerce Security
The general populace is concerned with their personal information being stored on vast computer systems. Governments have enacted privacy legislation to safeguard this personal information but intelligent systems are needed to safeguard privacy. At present database management systems rely on
August 2008 2 user authentication and user access rights to limit potential misuse of data. There is a need for these systems to contain sophisticated security mechanisms to ensure an individual’s privacy. CIAO researchers are involved in:
- Encryption/decryption - Key Management - Statistical Inference algorithms
Research Groups established within CIAO:
CIAO is structured into two research groups and three research laboratories. This structure allows for the research skills of an individual to develop within a challenging and stimulating environment. Research students are incorporated into research projects where they are overseen by researchers/academics with world renowned credentials. The groups/clusters are:
Mathematical Analysis and Optimization Research Group Data Mining and Informatics Research Group Virtual Reality and Simulation Laboratory Internet Commerce Security Laboratory Health Informatics Laboratory
Significant Projects
As a result of its research capability CIAO’s commercial association with industry has seen its involvement in numerous major research projects and tenders, some of which include:
An Anthropometry and human modeling exercise with the Australian Defence Force. This project seeks assessment of “fit” of a cross section of Australian adults into the cockpits of ADF aircraft through computer modelling. The development of an online knowledge based system for the Victorian Office of Training and Tertiary Education to assist students and the general public in identifying skills gaps and competencies. The development of non-linear optimization techniques for gas extraction and production with Woodside Energy Ltd. Developing an optimal maintenance regimen for a telecommunications network, either by deploying self-healing architecture or by increased staffing. Telstra Research Laboratories. Writing a draft Australian Standard for HL7 Radiology Messaging for the Department of Health and Ageing. Developing robust methodologies/tools to identify early indications of adverse drug reactions in collaboration with the Ballarat and District Division of General Practitioners and the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Commercial Partners
Since its inception, CIAO has developed commercial relationships with key national and international entities, some of which include:
Australian Department of Defence Australian Medical Association Ballarat and District Division of General Practice Ballarat Health Services Department of Health and Ageing IBM Permian Telstra Research Laboratories The Refugee Review Tribunal of Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration Victorian Office of Training and Tertiary Education Victorian Department of Primary Industries Victorian Partnership of Advanced Computing Woodside Energy Ltd
August 2008 3 Partner Universities and Research Centres: Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute Curtin University of Technology Hong Kong Polytechnic University Institute of Mathematics Vietnam Latrobe University St Petersburg State University; Institute of Mathematics, Romania Technical University of Darmstadt University of California, Los Angeles University of Melbourne University of Pittsburgh University of South Australia Western Australian Centre of Excellence in Industrial Optimization, WACEO
August 2008 4