Design & Computation - Perspectives in Engineering - Studio @ Old TU Berlin building
ideas transfered to public under conditions of Wizzion Public Licence v. AE53

problem(s)

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picture of "problem", black background

A problem P can be defined as a situation or scenario where a particular system, device, or process is not performing as desired, leading to suboptimal or undesired outcomes. In a design & engineering context, P is typically framed in terms of:

Vector of Parameters: This is a set of variables or conditions that characterize the system or scenario. They can be input conditions, system states, or any other relevant metrics that describe the system.

Objective Function: This is a mathematical function that quantifies how far the current system's performance is from the desired performance. The goal is usually to minimize or maximize this function.

Constraints: These are the bounds or limitations within which the system operates. In engineering problems, constraints can arise from physical limitations, safety requirements, budgetary restrictions, etc. The solution must satisfy these constraints.

etymology of the term 'problem'

From Middle English probleme, from Middle French probleme, from Latin problema, from Ancient Greek πρόβλημα (próblēma, “anything thrown forward, hindrance, obstacle, anything projecting, a headland, promontory”), from προβάλλω (probállō, “to throw or lay something in front of someone, to put forward”), from προ- (pro-, “in front of”) + βάλλω (bállō, “to throw, to cast, to hurl”).

[note the etymologic similarity to word "project": from Latin projectum ‘something prominent’, neuter past participle of proicere ‘throw forth’, from pro- ‘forth’ + jacere ‘to throw’)]

Alltag problem(s)

Divide in couples and discuss with Your colleagues cases when You use the word problem in daily life. Pose Yourself questions like "What was the last problem I solved ?", "What was the last problem I didn't manage to solve "? etc.

Hilbert problem(s)

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dalle-e 3: essence of hilbert problem "topology of algebraic curves and surfaces", black background

The Hilbert Problems are a set of 23 mathematical challenges presented by the German mathematician David Hilbert in 1900. Aimed at defining future research directions, these problems span various areas of mathematics. While some were clearly stated, others were more open-ended. Over the decades, a majority of these problems have been resolved, significantly advancing mathematical knowledge. Some led to the establishment of entire new fields of study. Unresolved - as of AE53 - Hilbert problems:

Mathematical Treatment of the Axioms of Physics

Rigorous Foundation of Schubert's Enumerative Calculus

Topology of Algebraic Curves and Surfaces

Analysis of Solutions of Variational Problems

Millenium Problems

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dall-e 3: 'generate picture which illustrates the best the essence of "riemann hypothesis"'

The Millennium Problems are seven mathematical challenges established by the Clay Mathematics Institute in 2000, each with a prize of one million dollars for a correct solution. These problems represent some of the most persistent and critical unsolved issues in mathematics, spanning areas such as number theory, geometry, analysis, and fluid dynamics. Only one of the problems, the Poincaré Conjecture, has been solved so far. Unresolved - as of AE53 - ones are:

Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer Conjecture

Hodge Conjecture

Navier–Stokes Existence and Smoothness

P vs NP Problem

Riemann Hypothesis

Yang–Mills Existence and Mass Gap

wicked problems

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dall-e 3: "essence of wicked problem, black background"

No Definitive Formulation

No Stopping Rule

Solutions Are Not True-or-False

No Immediate and No Ultimate Test

Every Solution is a 'One-Shot Operation'

No Enumerable (or Exhaustively Describable) Set of Potential Solutions

Every Wicked Problem is Essentially Unique

Every Wicked Problem Can Be Considered to Be a Symptom of Another Problem

The Existence of a Discrepancy Representing a Wicked Problem Can Be Explained in Numerous Ways

The Planner Has No Right to Be Wrong

13 teacher-proposed D&C problems

This is the set of problem(s) to which I expose all my D&C students since AE50.

Hopefully, at least 1 will be "solved" during my lifetime, 2 during Your lifetime and 3 during lifetime of my children.

Closing the Door to Hell

The "Door to Hell" or the Darvaza Gas Crater is a natural gas field located in the Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan. It has been burning continuously since 1971 when it was set on fire by Soviet geologists to prevent the spread of methane gas after a drilling rig collapsed into it.

Status: solvable

Approach: CAD, scientific modeling, few telephone calls, trip to Turkmenistan

H-microfusor

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The core of the microfusor is a solid carbon-based magnetic confinement lattice similar to hobberman's sphere filled with hydrogen isotope fuel.

H-microfusor is a reactor for deuterium/tritium nuclear fusion whose size does not exceed 1 cubic meter and which is able to persist in the breakeven state (Q>=1) for at least 1 second.

Approach: scientific modeling, CAD, nanotechnology

Status: solvable

Fremen Stilsuit

The Fremen stilsuit, native to the desert planet Arrakis *, is a marvel of engineering. Designed to conserve moisture, this full-body attire reclaims sweat, breath, and waste, converting them into drinkable water. Its black, skin-tight material is layered to reduce heat exposure and prevent water loss. Tubing systems distribute reclaimed water to catchpockets, from which the wearer can drink. Breath filters purify and reclaim moisture, while a nose plug ensures no moisture escapes. Built for desert survival, the stilsuit ensures the Fremen can thrive in Arrakis' harsh environment, making the most of every precious drop of water.

* also known as Terra, Gaia or Zem etc. during AD and AE epochs

Inspiration: Frank Herbert, Dune

Central Problem of Roboethics

The central problem of roboethics is defined as follows: AI & robot engineers aim to construct beings which will transcend the faculties of human beings, on the other hand, some unethical acts should be made impossible to execute for such artificial beings (Hromada, 2011)

Note: the central problem is equivalent, mutatis mutandi, to much more famous "AI Alignment" problem

Young Lady's Illustrated Primer

The Primer is an almost magical, book-like solarpunk artefact with embedded personalized adaptive generative teacher avatar so advanced that it is able to catalyse, by means of education, a transformation of a traumatized orphan into a Queen.

Status: solvable (provided that there is at least one vacant 👑 around)

Approach: fine-tuning of Large Language Models, speech technologies, Raspberry Pi

Inspiration: Neal Stephenson (Diamond Age: or Young Lady's Illustrated Primer)

Cracking the Voynich Manuscript

Voynich Manuscript is a corpus of unknown origin written down in unique graphemic system and potentially representing phonic values of unknown or potentially even extinct language.

Status: solvable

Approach: Multi-modal artificial intelligence, trans-disciplinary research, classic cryptographic methods

Tempelhof Biosphere

Geodetic dome providing a protective membrane around highly diversified biosphere above, around and below Berlin's Tempelhofer Field.

Status: solvable

Approach: material research, architecture, corruption

Self-optimization of communities and societies

Interconnect processes of opinion aggregation, expertise integration and decision-making so that at least some future social and political systems are more equitable, adaptable and less prone to "extinction through stupidity".

Status: wicked

Approach: try in smaller community, then expand

Common Eco(log|nom)ical Protocol

Common Ecological Protocol is a SDG *-inspired set of positives ("DOs") and negative ("DON'Ts") principles establishing a planetary-wide Nash equilibrium between all human, institutional, corporate, artificial and organic agents.

* SDG = United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals

Approach: Game-Theoretical and Agent-based simulations

Status: wicked but solvable through (enforced) consensus

Space Elevator

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dalle-3: "picture of space elevator platform attached to artificial island in equator region with strongly intertwined carbon nanotube fiber, black background"

A space elevator is a proposed transport system connecting Earth's surface directly to space using a tethered cable. Primarily envisioned to reduce exorbitant rocket launch costs, it aims to provide sustainable and energy-efficient space access. The concept requires a geostationary anchor in space and a base on Earth, connected by a carbon nanotube or similar high-strength cable. Centrifugal forces from Earth's rotation keep the cable taut. Elevator cars, powered by solar energy or lasers, would climb this cable.

Status: uncertain but decidable

Approach: material research, modeling, fractal architecture

The Tangle

The tangle is circle with 1m radius containing different vertically stacked herbs, veggies, fruits and mushrooms which maximize nutritive yield beneficial for human all year long and minimizes the amount of external intervention.

Inspiration: Neal Stephenson (Anathem)

Aquatic Alternative: The Aquarium

Elliptic Curve Discrete Logarithm Problem

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dall-e 3: 'picture of bilbo passing to frodo the scroll with a PSI symbol on it, saying "the ring is yours"'

Unsolvability of ECDLP is the pillar on which modern asymmetric cryptography (e.g. cryptocurrencies, communication with products of military-industrial complex etc.) stands.

Status: uncertain and potentially meta-unsolvable *

Approach: apt install sagemath, pen & paper, hope

* proof of ECDLP unsolvability is equivalent to solving the P = NP Millenium Problem

The Seed

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picture of "the seed", the universal nano-assembler in process of creating its own copy. has tree-like, fractal form of a dandelion seed with the MEMS nanocomputer at its base, spherical buckyball energy source in the middle and many robotic arms on the top

The Seed, or Universal Nano-Assembler, is a programmable, portable, self-sustainable matter compiler of non-organic origin able to reorganize molecules of its envelopping substrate in such a manner that it is able to create its own copy in less than one hour.

Status: nature can do it

Approach: MEMS, DNA-computing, nanotech, protein design, AGI

Inspiration: Eric Drexler (Engines of Creation)

10 student-proposed D&C problems

picture%20showing%20depictions%20of%20these%20problems%20%22Radioactive%20waste%20disposal%22%2C%20%22Liberation%20from%20fossil%20fuel%20dependency%22%2C%20%22Language%20extinction%22%2C%20%22Weltverst%C3%A4ndlichmachung%22%2C%22unf*cking%20the%20wohnnungsmarkt%22%2C%20%22the%20clock%20reform%22%20in%20different%20segments%20of%20the%20picture%2C%20black%20background

picture showing depictions of these problems "Radioactive waste disposal", "Liberation from fossil fuel dependency", "Language extinction", "Weltverständlichmachung","unf*cking the wohnnungsmarkt", "the clock reform" in different segments of the picture, black background

Radioactive waste disposal

Liberation from fossil fuel dependency

Language extinction

Weltverständlichmachung

Unf*cking the Wohnungsmarkt

...

The Clock Reform