"Introduction to Some Interactive Methods for Multiobjective Optimization " Kaisa Miettinen, University of Jyvaskyla, Department of Mathematical Information Technology kaisa.miettinen@jyu.fi
Many methods have been developed for multiobjective optimization. Typically, they aim at supporting a decision maker in finding the best compromise solution where several conflicting criteria are optimized at the same time. Because the compromise solutions, the so-called Pareto optima, cannot be ordered without additional information, the solution process requires preference information from a decision maker in some for or another, and methods can be classified in four classes based on the role of the decision maker. In this talk, we briefly characterize the different classes and pay most attention to interactive methods. In interactive methods, a solution patterns is formed and repeated several times, and at each iteration further information about the decision maker's preferences is inquired. In this way, the decision maker can learn about the nature of the problem and about the interdependencies among the criteria involved. (S)he can also adjust one's preferences while learning and concentrate on such solutions that seem most promising. We introduce two new interactive methods for solving nonlinear multiobjective optimization problems. The methods have been directed for different types of problems: Pareto Navigator for computationally expensive problems and Nautilus to enable free search (and also for group decision making). Finally, we briefly describe NIMBUS which has been applied in a variety of problems during the years.
"Some Applications of Interactive Multiobjective Optimization Methods" Jussi Hakanen, University of Jyvaskyla, Department of Mathematical Information Technology jussi.hakanen@jyu.fi
In this talk, we describe some applications of interactive multiobjective optimization. The case studies arise from chemical engineering problems and the idea is to demonstrate how the field of chemical engineering can benefit from the tools of multiobjective optimization. By considering multiple objectives, the problem considered can be seen from different perspectives and there is no need for unnecessary simplifications just to make optimization possible. We introduce some real-world multiobjective optimization problems and describe how interactive multiobjective optimization methods have been utilized and how the methods have provided useful insight in the solution processes.
Bio's:
Jussi Hakanen got his PhD from the Department of Mathematical Information Technology, University of Jyväskylä, Finland in 2006. His research interests include theory, methods and applications of multiobjective optimization. During and after his doctoral studies, he has been working with applications related to chemical engineering including, e.g., paper making and wastewater treatment.
Kaisa Miettinen is a professor of industrial optimization at the Department of Mathematical Information Technology, University of Jyvaskyla, Finland, where she heads the research group on industrial optimization. Her research interests include multiobjective optimization (theory, methods and software), multiple criteria decision making, nonlinear programming, evolutionary algorithms, hybrid approaches as well as industrial applications. She is the President-Elect of the International Society on Multiple Criteria Decision Making.
Prof Kaisa Miettinen and Dr. Jussi Hakanen (Universiteit Jyväskyä,
Finland) are visiting OPTEC October 6-8, 2009.
Two OPTEC professors have been awarded three "Gouden Krijtjes", the yearly teaching awards given by the organization of engineering students (vtk). Prof. Lombaert was awarded the prize for the best course in civil engineering, and Prof. Diehl the prizes for the best professor and the best course in mathematical engineering (where he teaches numerical optimization). They received these awards at the yearly "proffentap" where experienced students taught them how to draft beer professionally.
