Criticality in nature

Date

May 19, 2025

Time

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Speaker

Prof. Jörn Davidsen

Affiliation

University of Calgary

Series

MPI-PKS Kolloquium

Language

en

Main Topic

Physik

Other Topics

Physik

Description

Hallmarks of criticality, such as power-laws and self-similarity typical for order-disorder phase transitions, have been found in many complex systems in nature ranging from fault networks to biological networks. In particular, biological neuronal systems are often thought to be organized in such a way that they optimize their information processing and storage capabilities. This is supported by studies, which have indicated that neuronal networks in vivo and in vitro can self-organize to a critical state. In this talk, I will critically review some of the evidence for criticality — potentially emerging not in the form of a critical point but as an extended critical region or Griffith’s phase — both from a data point of view and a theoretical modelling point of view. The focus will be on the failure of rock samples and fluid-induced seismicity, such as encountered in enhanced geothermal systems and hydraulic fracturing, as well as information processing and memory consolidation in neuronal systems and the spreading of zoonotic diseases.

Last modified: May 19, 2025, 7:35:56 AM