Optimal transport, a concept derived from the Latin for 'best,' is studied by mathematician Alessio Figalli at ETH Zurich. It explores the most efficient allocation of resources, with applications spanning clouds to chatbots. Introduced 250 years ago by Gaspard Monge for military logistics, it has evolved into complex global optimization problems. Figalli values math’s permanence and clarity, stating that true theorems are reliable over time. Leonid Kantorovich’s work further developed this field, reflecting on everyday scenarios like bakeries delivering croissants without competition, demonstrating the global impact of optimized resource allocation.
Dr. Figalli emphasizes that mathematics offers clarity and permanence, asserting that once a theorem is proved, it remains true for centuries—rendering math a timeless discipline.
The study of optimal transport, rooted in military engineering, has evolved to address various logistical challenges, from material transport during the Napoleonic Era to modern applications.
Collection
[
|
...
]