The Mathematical Challenge

SlNTEF´s Section for Industrial Mathematics makes use of advanced mathematics to solve practical problems, and has taken up the challenge of developing a basis for constructing mathematical models of physical objects. There are several different approaches to this task, but they all share the aim of making a mathematical model of a real or imaginary object as flexible as possible. Such an object can be anything from a vacuum cleaner, a car or a new design of bottle, to an oil reservoir.

The tools that we usually use for such purposes, for example compasses and rulers, are not good enough for modelling complex geometries, so we have to rely on mathematics that can deal with advanced curves and surfaces.

The mathematical technology that SINTEF has been developing for decades is known as spline technology and is based on advanced technology for modelling free-form curves and doubly-curved surfaces. This mathematical technology allows us to use a single set of measurement points to recreate a three-dimensional model of an object.