Technology transfer
Polymath works across a diverse set of industries, so we're in a good position to identify where transferring an existing approach into a new area could produce great results. Real-world problems which appear unrelated can sometimes have the same underlying mathematical structure, and techniques which are well known in one field can be used to deliver rapid progress in another area.
There are many examples where our knowledge of different disciplines and industries has allowed us to re-purpose existing techniques for a new application, including:
- Taking advanced radar target tracking techniques, and modifying them to provide a highly accurate and efficient system for analysing acoustic signals produced by machinery.
- Taking image processing techniques originally developed by astronomers, and using them to help reduce background noise when analysing biological images.
- Taking algorithms normally used in satellite control systems, and using them to measure human motion for health and biomechanics applications.
- Taking mathematical methods usually used in financial modelling, and applying them to understand the risks of metal fatigue in safety critical components.