TY - JOUR A1 - Koch, Thorsten A1 - Bernal Neira, David E. A1 - Chen, Ying A1 - Cortiana, Giorgio A1 - Egger, Daniel J. A1 - Heese, Raoul A1 - Hegade, Narendra N. A1 - Gomez Cadavid, Alejandro A1 - Huang, Rhea A1 - Itoko, Toshinari A1 - Kleinert, Thomas A1 - Maciel Xavier, Pedro A1 - Mohseni, Naeimeh A1 - Montanez-Barrera, Jhon A. A1 - Nakano, Koji A1 - Nannicini, Giacomo A1 - O'Meara, Corey A1 - Pauckert, Justin A1 - Proissl, Manuel A1 - Ramesh, Anurag A1 - Schicker, Maximilian A1 - Shimada, Noriaki A1 - Takeori, Mitsuharu A1 - Valls, Victor A1 - Van Bulck, David A1 - Woerner, Stefan A1 - Zoufal, Christa T1 - Quantum Optimization Benchmark Library -- The Intractable Decathlon N2 - Through recent progress in hardware development, quantum computers have advanced to the point where benchmarking of (heuristic) quantum algorithms at scale is within reach. Particularly in combinatorial optimization -- where most algorithms are heuristics -- it is key to empirically analyze their performance on hardware and track progress towards quantum advantage. To this extent, we present ten optimization problem classes that are difficult for existing classical algorithms and can (mostly) be linked to practically-relevant applications, with the goal to enable systematic, fair, and comparable benchmarks for quantum optimization methods. Further, we introduce the Quantum Optimization Benchmark Library (QOBLIB) where the problem instances and solution track records can be found. The individual properties of the problem classes vary in terms of objective and variable type, coefficient ranges, and density. Crucially, they all become challenging for established classical methods already at system sizes ranging from less than 100 to, at most, an order of 100,000 decision variables, allowing to approach them with today's quantum computers. We reference the results from state-of-the-art solvers for instances from all problem classes and demonstrate exemplary baseline results obtained with quantum solvers for selected problems. The baseline results illustrate a standardized form to present benchmarking solutions, which has been designed to ensure comparability of the used methods, reproducibility of the respective results, and trackability of algorithmic and hardware improvements over time. We encourage the optimization community to explore the performance of available classical or quantum algorithms and hardware platforms with the benchmarking problem instances presented in this work toward demonstrating quantum advantage in optimization. Y1 - 2025 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Riedmüller, Stephanie A1 - Buchholz, Annika A1 - Zittel, Janina T1 - Enhancing Multi-Energy Modeling: The Role of Mixed-Integer Optimization Decisions T2 - The 38th International Conference on Efficiency, Cost, Optimization, Simulation and Environmental Impact of Energy Systems – ECOS 2025 N2 - The goal to decarbonize the energy sector has led to increased research in modeling and optimizing multi-energy systems. One of the most promising and popular techniques for modeling and solving (multi-)energy optimization problems is (multi-objective) mixed-integer programming, valued for its ability to represent the complexities of integrated energy systems. While the literature often focuses on deriving mathematical formulations and parameter settings, less attention is given to critical post-formulation decisions. Modeling multi-energy systems as mixed-integer linear optimization programs demands decisions across multiple degrees of freedom. Key steps include reducing a real-world multi energy network into an abstract topology, defining variables, formulating the relevant (in-)equalities to represent technical requirements, setting (multiple) objectives, and integrating these elements into a mixed-integer program (MIP). However, with these elements fixed, the specific transformation of the abstract topology into a graph structure and the construction of the MIP remain non-uniquely. These choices can significantly impact user-friendliness, problem size, and computational efficiency, thus affecting the feasibility and efficiency of modeling efforts. In this work, we identify and analyze the additional degrees of freedom and describe two distinct approaches to address them. The approaches are compared regarding mathematical equivalence, suitability for solution algorithms, and clarity of the underlying topology. A case study on a realistic subarea of Berlin’s district heating network involving tri-objective optimization for a unit commitment problem demonstrates the practical significance of these decisions. By highlighting these critical yet often overlooked aspects, our work equips energy system modelers with insights to improve computational efficiency, scalability, and interpretability in their optimization efforts, ultimately enhancing the practicality and effectiveness of multi-energy system models. Y1 - 2025 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Gotzes, Uwe A1 - Buchholz, Annika A1 - Kallrath, Josef A1 - Lindner, Niels A1 - Koch, Thorsten T1 - Flexible Pooling Pattern Design with Integer Programming T2 - Theory, Algorithms and Experiments in Applied Optimization. In Honor of the 70th Birthday of Panos Pardalos N2 - Sample pooling has the potential to significantly enhance large-scale screening procedures, especially in scenarios like the COVID-19 pandemic, where rapid and widespread PCR testing has been crucial. Efficient strategies are essential to increase the testing capacity, i.e., the number of tests that can be processed within a given timeframe. Non-adaptive pooling strategies can further streamline the testing process by reducing the required testing rounds. In contrast to adaptive strategies, where subsequent tests depend on prior results, non-adaptive pooling processes all samples in a single round, eliminating the need for sequential retesting and reducing delays. This paper presents a highly flexible method based on integer programming to design optimized pooling patterns suitable for various applications, including medical diagnostics and quality control in industrial production. Using coronavirus testing as a case study, we formulate and solve optimization and satisfiability models that compute efficient pool designs. Our optimized pooling does not only increase testing capacity, but also accelerates the testing process and reduces overall costs. The proposed method is adaptable and can be seamlessly integrated into automated testing systems. Y1 - 2025 VL - 226 PB - Springer ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Zhou, Lei A1 - Chen, Ying A1 - Peng, Hanqiu A1 - Koch, Thorsten T1 - Is innovation slowing down? Insights from the AIMS framework of patent values JF - Expert Systems with Applications N2 - Amidst the unprecedented expansion of scientific and technological knowledge over the past century, concerns persist regarding a slowdown in innovation. To address this, we introduce the AIMS framework, which categorizes patents into four types—Aurora, Invisible, Mirage, and Success—based on their respective inherent scientific values and market-recognized economic values. Utilizing USPTO patent and citation data from 1976 to 2022, our analysis reveals an increasing volume of patent issuances but a concerning dilution in scientific quality starting in the 2000s. This trend is primarily attributed to the rise of low scientific value patents—categorized as Mirage and Invisible—and a modest decline in high-impact scientific patents—categorized as Success and Aurora. Meanwhile, the economic value of patents has risen, especially noted with the growth in Mirage patents since the 2010s, indicating a shift towards strategies that prioritize market-driven patenting. This study highlights the evolving nature of patents from mere indicators of scientific innovation to strategic tools for market dominance, providing an alternative understanding of patent value and its implications for firms’ strategic decisions over patent issuance across different sectors. Y1 - 2025 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2025.127355 VL - 280 SP - 127355 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Riedmüller, Stephanie A1 - Koch, Thorsten T1 - Exact Objective Space Contraction for the Preprocessing of Multi-objective Integer Programs N2 - Solving integer optimization problems with large or widely ranged objective coefficients can lead to numerical instability and increased runtimes. When the problem also involves multiple objectives, the impact of the objective coefficients on runtimes and numerical issues multiplies. We address this issue by transforming the coefficients of linear objective functions into smaller integer coefficients. To the best of our knowledge, this problem has not been defined before. Next to a straightforward scaling heuristic, we introduce a novel exact transformation approach for the preprocessing of multi-objective binary problems. In this exact approach, the large or widely ranged integer objective coefficients are transformed into the minimal integer objective coefficients that preserve the dominance relation of the points in the objective space. The transformation problem is solved with an integer programming formulation with an exponential number of constraints. We present a cutting-plane algorithm that can efficiently handle the problem size. In a first computational study, we analyze how often and in which settings the transformation actually leads to smaller coefficients. In a second study, we evaluate how the exact transformation and a typical scaling heuristic, when used as preprocessing, affect the runtime and numerical stability of the Defining Point Algorithm. Y1 - 2025 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Chen, Ying A1 - Koch, Thorsten A1 - Peng, Hanqui A1 - Zhang, Hongrui T1 - Benchmarking of Quantum and Classical Computing in Large-Scale Dynamic Portfolio Optimization Under Market Frictions N2 - Quantum computing is poised to transform the financial industry, yet its advantages over traditional methods have not been evidenced. As this technology rapidly evolves, benchmarking is essential to fairly evaluate and compare different computational strategies. This study presents a challenging yet solvable problem of large-scale dynamic portfolio optimization under realistic market conditions with frictions. We frame this issue as a Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) problem, compatible with digital computing and ready for quantum computing, to establish a reliable benchmark. By applying the latest solvers to real data, we release benchmarks that help verify true advancements in dynamic trading strategies, either quantum or digital computing, ensuring that reported improvements in portfolio optimization are based on robust, transparent, and comparable metrics. Y1 - 2025 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Petkovic, Milena A1 - Zittel, Janina T1 - Leveraging Transfer Learning to Overcome Data Limitations in Czochralski Crystal Growth JF - Advanced Theory and Simulations Y1 - 2025 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/adts.202500677 VL - 8 IS - 11 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Xu, Xiaofei A1 - Chen, Ying A1 - Zhang, Ge A1 - Koch, Thorsten T1 - Modeling Functional Time Series and Mixed-Type Predictors With Partially Functional Autoregressions JF - Journal of Business & Economic Statistics Y1 - 2022 U6 - https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/07350015.2021.2011299 SN - 0735-0015 VL - 42 IS - 2 SP - 349 EP - 366 PB - Informa UK Limited ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Hadjidimitriou, Natalia Selini A1 - Lippi, Marco A1 - Nastro, Raffaele A1 - Koch, Thorsten A1 - Mamei, Marco T1 - Short-Term Forecasting of Energy Consumption and Production in Local Energy Communities T2 - 2024 32nd International Conference on Enabling Technologies: Infrastructure for Collaborative Enterprises (WETICE) Y1 - 2024 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1109/WETICE64632.2024.00022 SP - 74 EP - 79 PB - IEEE ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Yokoyama, Ryohei A1 - Kamada, Hiroki A1 - Shinano, Yuji A1 - Wakui, Tetsuya T1 - A hierarchical optimization approach to robust design of energy supply systems based on a mixed-integer linear model JF - Energy N2 - In designing energy supply systems, designers should heighten the robustness in performance criteria against the uncertainty in energy demands. In this paper, a robust optimal design method using a hierarchical mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) method is proposed to maximize the robustness of energy supply systems under uncertain energy demands based on a mixed-integer linear model. A robust optimal design problem is formulated as a three-level min-max-min MILP one by expressing uncertain energy demands by intervals, evaluating the robustness in a performance criterion based on the minimax regret criterion, and considering relationships among integer design variables, uncertain energy demands, and integer and continuous operation variables. This problem is solved by evaluating upper and lower bounds for the minimum of the maximum regret of the performance criterion repeatedly outside, and evaluating lower and upper bounds for the maximum regret repeatedly inside. Different types of optimization problems are solved by applying a hierarchical MILP method developed for ordinary optimal design problems without and with its modifications. In a case study, the proposed approach is applied to the robust optimal design of a cogeneration system. Through the study, its validity and effectiveness are ascertained, and some features of the obtained robust designs are clarified. Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.120343 VL - 229 ER -