507. Wilhelm und Else Heraeus-Seminar

The underlying organization of complex networks is of basic importance for their robust and efficient performance. As an example for natural networks we shall consider foodwebs which are often organized in a way that allows the maintenance of biodiversity. It is a challenge to analyze the conditions under which multiple species can coexist, but what kind of perturbations may lead to their extinction. In vascular systems it is the arrangement of loops that is essential for their robust performance and the flexible handling of loads. In pigeon flocks it is the hierarchically organized group dynamics that leads to a fast decision-making process in the collective. Also artificial networks are required to perform in an efficient and robust way, particularly if the resources are limited. Examples for such networks are power grids and grids of renewable energies. They should be designed in a way to avoid big crashes, to minimize their risk for failure, to reduce their vulnerability, while, at the same time, to tolerate a strongly intermittent load. During this seminar, the examples from natural networks may inspire the engineering of artificial ones.

The seminar is generously funded by the Wilhelm and Else Heraeus foundation.