CDS/CIMMS Lunchtime Seminar: Dynamical boundaries in a variety of mechanical systems

Dr. Shane Ross, Engineering Science & Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

The identification of frontiers between qualitatively different kinds of behavior in a dynamical system is important in many applications.  Increasingly, systems of interest are determined not by analytically defined model systems, but by data from experiments or large-scale simulations.  This two-part talk will address: (1) systems known analytically from which phase space structures (separatrices) controlling transport and stability can be computed, e.g., in orbital mechanics and biomechanics; (2) an approach for identifying separatrices in mechanical systems (e.g., stable motion vs. failure in postural balance) where the dynamics is sampled by experiment.  Applications to other areas, such as ship capsize prediction and the role of atmospheric transport barriers in plant pathogen ecology, will also be discussed.