Chapter 23 Applications: simple models and difficult theorems

Abstract

In this short article I will discuss three papers written by Willem van Zwet with three different co-authors: Mathisca de Gunst, Marta Fiocco, and myself. Each of the papers focuses on one particular application: growth of the number of biological cells [3], spreading of an infection [7], and the optimal travel time in warehousing carousel systems [8]. IntroductionIn this short article I will discuss three papers written by Willem van Zwet with three different co-authors: Mathisca de Gunst, Marta Fiocco, and myself. Each of the papers focuses on one particular application: growth of the number of biological cells [3], spreading of an infection [7], and the optimal travel time in warehousing carousel systems [8]. To my opinion, each of these papers displays the attitude that I personally value a lot in mathematics. An application is the strong starting point for each of the papers. Further, the model is simple and transparent. Yet, the analysis involves advanced mathematics and brings to the results that not only give new insights into the applications but also are of a pure mathematical interest. The present volume contains [7] and [8], and the follow-up paper [4] of [3] which I will also briefly discuss.The papers are written in a clear language and do not try to look more fancy than they are. In fact, I remember Willem laughing at my attempts to make the paper more general by replacing 112 with bE (0, 1): 'What have you done? Please, bring the 1/2 back! It is more natural and makes the whole thing much easier to read'. And on my sceptical remark about the number of people who are actually going to