Xiantao Li : The Mori-Zwanzig formalism for the reduction of complex dynamics models

Mathematical models of complex physical processes often involve large number of degrees of freedom as well as events occurring on different time scales. Therefore, direct simulations based on these models face tremendous challenge. This focus of this talk is on the Mori-Zwanzig (MZ) projection formalism for reducing the dimension of a complex dynamical system. The goal is to mathematically derive a reduced model with much fewer variables, while still able to capture the essential properties of the system. In many cases, this formalism also eliminates fast modes and makes it possible to explore events over longer time scales. The models that are directly derived from the MZ projection are typically too abstract to be practically implemented. We will first discuss cases where the model can be simplified to generalized Langevin equations (GLE). Furthermore, we introduce systematic numerical approximations to the GLE, in which the fluctuation-dissipation theorem (FDT) is automatically satisfied. More importantly, these approximations lead to a hierarchy of reduced models with increasing accuracy, which would also be useful for an adaptive model refinement (AMR). Examples, including the NLS, atomistic models of materials defects, and molecular models of proteins, will be presented to illustrate the potential applications of the methods.

• Category: Applied Math and Analysis
• Duration: 01:34:49
• Date:  October 20, 2014 at 4:25 PM
• Views: 119
• Tags:   seminar, Applied Math And Analysis Seminar