Complex Systems: Nonlinearity, Chaos and Complexity in Science, Technology and Life

Описание: Three words: complexity, nonlinearity and chaos can be considered as the building blocks for the third revolution in science. The first one started with Newton`s laws, the second with Einstein equations and quantum theory. The third is something totally different, complexity, nonlinearity and chaos are the building blocks of this new science. It touches every science humanity has ever known. The seed for this science was planted in the 19th century, the real plant started to grow up in the 70s and 80s of the 20th century. This science has grown so fast that by the late of the 20th century and beginning of the 21st century, to the extent that it has touched every corner of our lives. As engineers, we use this new science in modelling complex systems. Complex systems are systems whose behaviour is intrinsically chaotic and difficult to model due to the dependencies, competitions, relationships, or other types of interactions between their parts or between a given system and its environment. Examples of complex systems are Earth's global climate, infrastructure such as power grid, transportation or communication systems, and socio-economic organizations (like cities).


In this introductory lecture to the Complex Systems webinar series, Dr Ali AlBadri will introduce the building blocks and history of this new science to show how it has evolved to the maturity we see now.