MITACS - Mathematics of Information Technology and Complex Systems

www.mitacs.ca

Industry is realizing that advanced technologies are critical to its bottom line and that direct links between competitiveness and efficiency can be found through mathematics. MITACS works with organizations to identify their challenges, find scientists with the expertise to help solve those problems and provide significant funds towards research and innovative solutions.

MITACS's mission is to enable and encourage new research ideas and technologies; develop linkages within universities, companies, hospitals and governments where the application of mathematics plays a fundamental role; expand the human resources skilled in developing and applying mathematical models; and support the commercialization of research results.

MITACS research focuses on five key sectors of the economy: Biomedical & Health, Environment & Natural Resources, Information Processing, Risk & Finance and Communication, Networks & Security. Projects cover industrial issues from efficiency, cost-effectiveness and pricing improvements to security-enhancing technologies. MITACS projects develop models and technologies for research areas including data mining, fuel cells, seismic imaging, atrial fibrillation and the spread of infectious disease.

Breaking new ground in computer animation, MITACS researchers developed a new mathematical formula that captures the essence of shape as perceived by designers, helping them to translate mental concepts into digital models. The formula, called a cord, gives physical properties to animated curves in order to make hair, string, wire and other rope-like objects behave intuitively. It was essential in enabling Chris Landreth, director of the animated film, Ryan, to capture how he wanted strands of hair to appear in the film. The work of the MITACS team contributed to Ryan receiving the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film at the 77th Annual Academy Awards in March, 2005. The researchers are now looking to extend the formula to other areas that promise benefit for Canadians, including how the new technology can be used in the medical field to help visualize DNA strands and other highly complex curves.

Following the November 2004 workshop on cyber security, MITACS and partners Bell Security Solutions Inc., Carleton University, the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance and Communications and Information Technology Ontario joined forces to launch the Forum for Information Security Innovation in Canada (FISIC). FISIC will provide innovation and leadership in network and information security across Canada, while increasing public awareness about the importance of addressing potential on-line security gaps.

Research has spawned eight start-ups that have important commercial potential. Ex Pretio Technologies is a Quebec-based spin-off company offering advanced pricing and revenue optimization tools that allow companies to adapt their fare and allocation policies quickly in response to competition. The technology, based on more than a decade of academic research, is currently being utilized by high-speed railway operations firms including SNCF, the French national railway company, as well as by their counterparts in air transportation and telecommunications.

The MITACS Internships Program is playing a key role in bridging the academia-industry divide. Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows work for four to eight months with companies under the direction of their academic professor and an industrial mentor, addressing issues of key importance to Canada's economy. Industry benefits from access to the latest techniques in applied mathematics. New career opportunities open to students through their experience and contacts at their internship placement, while those who choose academia will leverage their industrial experience when training their own students. Within the next three years, over 200 students will benefit from this opportunity, with the goal of creating a self-sustaining cycle of training.

This explosion of activity in industrially-relevant math has been largely due to MITACS. International awareness of its success is growing and MITACS is working with its counterparts in China, Australia and other countries to establish new avenues of knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Provincial Reach:

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Distribution of Research Personnel in 2004-2005

For more information visit the MITACS website.