Michael C. Ferris

Associate Professor of Computer Sciences and Industrial Engineering and member of the Center for the Mathematical Sciences

Computer Sciences Department
University of Wisconsin
1210 West Dayton Street
Madison, WI 53706

Telephone: (608) 262-4281
Fax: (608) 262-9777
Email: ferris@cs.wisc.edu
Ph.D., University of Cambridge, 1989
Interests: The theory, algorithms, and applications of mathematical programming


Research Summary

I am looking at robust methods for solving large-scale variational inequality and nonlinear programming problems with applications to problems in economics and engineering. Pivotal and path-following techniques are being investigated, based on successive linearization, with emphasis on numerical properties for large-scale problems and interfaces to modeling languages. Particular applications being considered include economic equilibria and the effects of taxation on carbon emissions, traffic congestion and the effects of tolling, structural optimization, contact problems and chemical process design.

I have been considering the use of parallel architectures for solving problems in nonlinear optimization. The use of graph partitioning techniques to determine underlying structure is being investigated as a tool for general purpose parallel optimization. Techniques for exploiting parallel machines directly from within modeling systems are also under consideration, with prototypes using the condor system.

Extensions of the complementarity framework are also being investigated, with emphasis on identifying and exploiting underlying model structure.

Publications

Complete list of papers, mostly electronically available.

Other Relevant Links

CPNET: Complementarity Problem Net

Mathematical Prgramming at UW Home Page

CS 525 CS 726 CS 733


This page was updated January 31, 1996.