Objective The two biggest challenges in solving practical optimization problems are computational intractability, and the presenceof uncertainty: most problems are either NP-hard, or have incomplete input data whichmakes an exact computation impossible.Recently, there has been a huge progress in our understanding of intractability, based on spectacular algorithmic and lower bound techniques. For several problems, especially those with only local constraints, we can design optimumapproximation algorithms that are provably the best possible.However, typical optimization problems usually involve complex global constraints and are much less understood. The situation is even worse for coping with uncertainty. Most of the algorithms are based on ad-hoc techniques and there is no deeper understanding of what makes various problems easy or hard.This proposal describes several new directions, together with concrete intermediate goals, that will break important new ground in the theory of approximation and online algorithms. The particular directions we consider are (i) extend the primal dual method to systematically design online algorithms, (ii) build a structural theory of online problems based on work functions, (iii) develop new tools to use the power of strong convex relaxations and (iv) design new algorithmic approaches based on non-constructive proof techniques.The proposed research is at thecutting edge of algorithm design, and builds upon the recent success of the PI in resolving several longstanding questions in these areas. Any progress is likely to be a significant contribution to theoreticalcomputer science and combinatorial optimization. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencescomputational science Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-CG-2013-PE6 - ERC Consolidator Grant - Computer Science and Informatics Call for proposal ERC-2013-CoG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-CG - ERC Consolidator Grants Host institution TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT EINDHOVEN EU contribution € 1 519 285,00 Address GROENE LOPER 3 5612 AE Eindhoven Netherlands See on map Region Zuid-Nederland Noord-Brabant Zuidoost-Noord-Brabant Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Robert Van Der Drift (Dr.) Principal investigator Nikhil Bansal (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT EINDHOVEN Netherlands EU contribution € 1 519 285,00 Address GROENE LOPER 3 5612 AE Eindhoven See on map Region Zuid-Nederland Noord-Brabant Zuidoost-Noord-Brabant Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Robert Van Der Drift (Dr.) Principal investigator Nikhil Bansal (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
