Effects of structural changes for the operation of complex networks

• Grant number: 16/10801-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: September 01, 2016
• End date: November 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
• Principal Investigator: Tiago Pereira da Silva
• Grantee: Camille Poignard
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Matemáticas e de Computação (ICMC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07375-0 - CeMEAI - Center for Mathematical Sciences Applied to Industry, AP.CEPID
• Associated scholarship(s): 17/21896-3 - Self-induced synchronization by strong delay in complex networks, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

The main goal of this project is to understand how changes in the coupling structure of a network can affect the overall function. Using synchronization as a paradigm of network function, we aim at understanding how spontaneous collective behaviour can be destroyed or enhanced by such structural modifications. Recent results suggest that certain modifications can lead to synchronization loss despite the fact that they enhance topological properties of the network. This project develops a mathematical theory for this phenomenon, and it is divided into two objectives of increasing difficulty i) Classification of structures and links leading to synchronization loss, and ii) Effects of time-delays in the coupling structure. We will apply our theoretical results to experiments involving networks of electrical circuits and time-delayed lasers. (AU)