2011 Keynote Speaker

2011 SIAM Conference Keynote Presentation

Speaker:
Edward Ott
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Maryland

Title:
Collective Behavior in Large Systems of Coupled Dynamical Units

Abstract:
An important issue arising in many different situations is the question of how global macroscopic behavior emerges from the coupling of many, typically non-identical, dynamically evolving subsystems. For example, what is the mechanism by which the rhythmic oscillations of a group of 10,000 individual pacemaker cells in the heart organize themselves to beat in phase with each other? Other examples include synchronous flashing of fireflies, oscillation of electrical activity in the brain, circadian rhythm, coupled lasers, and many others. This talk will give an overview on recent progress in this field, focusing on modeling and mathematical analysis.