Simulation of Complex Systems
By (author) Professor Giovanni Volpe, Dr Agnese Callegari, Mr Aykut Argun
Publication date:
29 December 2021Length of book:
226 pagesPublisher
Institute Of Physics PublishingDimensions:
254x178mm7x10"
ISBN-13: 9780750338417
Web Copy
This book deals with the most fundamental and essential techniques to simulate complex systems, from the dynamics of molecules to the spreading of diseases, from optimization using ant colonies to the simulation of the Game of Life.
Several natural systems found in physics, biology and engineering can be considered complex systems, because their behaviour is not easily predictable and is the result of complex interactions among their constituents. Examples of complex systems are a cell with its organelles, an organ, the human brain, social networks, transportation and communication systems, the stock market, ecosystems, systems with prey and predators, a swarm of bees.
There are several specialized books focusing on different simulation methods, but there is not one fully devoted to complex systems. The “bottom-up” approach is innovative and allows the reader to conduct numerical experiments to explore the system’s behaviour.
Key Features
1. Composed of self-contained, independent chapters
2. Illustrates simulation techniques in a broad range of fields from physics and biology to engineering, social science and economics
3. Provides a hands-on approach with guided exercises
4. Covers the fundamental numerical techniques in complex systems
5. Ideal for self-study
6. Contains supplementary example codes and video tutorials
Modeling complex systems can help to predict outcomes that cannot be easily predicted. This book uses numerical simulations to understand complex systems. It explains numerical simulation techniques most often used to approach a variety of complex systems that are of fundamental importance in physics, biology, engineering, social sciences, and economics. In addition to the use of numerical simulations for modeling and understanding phenomena for applications, numerical simulations are ideal tools for hands-on experience with complex systems. Each chapter is an independent topic and does not require reading previous chapters to understand the material. Each chapter includes an introduction and the motivation for the topic, a description of relevant numerical approaches to the problem at hand with guided exercises, a list of references for further study, and practice problems. With the help of this book, it should be possible for readers to reach a level of proficiency, sufficient to perform these methods and create models for their applications. The book begins with some basic topics that describe numerical simulation techniques that are of fundamental importance in physics and engineering (e.g., molecular dynamics, passive and active Brownian dynamics, anomalous diffusion, and multiplicative noise) and continues with more specialized topics in biology, engineering, and the social sciences. This book is written at a master’s degree and graduate student level, making it ideal for a course in modeling and simulation of complex systems as well as for self study.
John J. Shea, IEEE Magazine, December 2022