Experimental and Theoretical Analysis of Collective Dynamics in Swarming Systems

在这个项目中，PI将从非平衡统计物理的角度对蜂群进行实验和理论研究。该项目将实施一个完全可控的实验室设置，用于与鱼类进行互动式群体实验，并使用先前收集的蝗虫集体运动数据。该项目将使用详细的和理想化的蜂群模型对这两个系统进行对比，以研究其动态的特殊性和普遍性。统计物理概念将被应用于搜索源于共同生存约束的群体的一般特征。对群体中所有个体的详细数字跟踪将用于研究具有生物学意义的群体状态。将比较平衡和非平衡的物理系统，如液晶，自旋系统和颗粒材料。该项目将通过以下方式实现：建立受控的实验室实验，同时跟踪数百或数千条鱼，并记录它们对刺激的反应。2. 开发详细的和理想化的模型，分别捕获群体的具体和普遍方面，并为群体开发新的（物理启发的）分析工具，如相关长度、聚类、信息流、缺陷动力学等。研究典型的非平衡动力系统的集体效应，如比例定律、模式形成或过渡。4. 测试某些蜂群状态是否由于系统适应而遵循一般行为，如果是，则利用其结果进行理论分析。该研究将通过从生物学和物理学的角度结合实验和理论方法，提高我们对群体系统的理解，特别是对自组织的理解。它将建立新的实验和统计测量，可以在拟议的背景之外使用。它将探索跨尺度机械效应和行为适应之间的相互作用，进一步加深我们对非平衡系统的理解。此外，我们将通过假设进化的临界行为可能存在来追求对某些群体状态的普遍描述。该项目的跨学科和合作性质将通过制定一个强有力的推广计划来强调，以促进公众对科学的理解。群体演示激发了想象力，并允许有意义和创造性的互动，允许从一系列互补的角度探索集体行为的基本原则。

In this project the PI will study swarms experimentally and theoretically from the perspective of non-equilibrium statistical physics. The project will implement a fully controlled laboratory setup for interactive swarming experiments with fish and also use previously collected data on the collective motion of locusts. The project will contrast both systems using detailed, and idealized, swarming models to study the specificities and universality of their dynamics. Statistical physics concepts will be applied to search for generic characteristics of swarms that stem from common survival constraints. Detailed digital tracking of all individuals in a swarm will be used to investigate biologically meaningful swarming states. Comparisons will be made with equilibrium and non-equilibrium physical systems such as liquid crystals, spin-systems and granular materials. The project will achieve this by: 1. Building controlled laboratory experiments where hundreds, or thousands, of fish will be tracked concurrently and their response to stimuli recorded. 2. Developing detailed, and idealized, models to capture specific and universal aspects of swarms, respectively, and to develop new (physics-inspired) analytical tools for swarms such as correlation lengths, clustering, information flow, defect dynamics etc. 3. Investigate collective effects that are typical of non equilibrium dynamical systems such as scaling-laws, pattern formation, or transitions. 4. Testing if some swarming states follow a generic behavior due to the system adaptations and, if so, exploiting the consequences of this for theoretical analysis. The research will improve our understanding of swarming systems in particular and self-organization in general by combining experimental and theoretical approaches from biological and physical perspectives. It will set up new experiments and statistical measurements that can be used beyond the proposed context. It will explore the interactions between mechanical effects and behavioral adaptation across scales, furthering our understanding of non-equilibrium systems. In addition we will pursue a universal description of certain swarming states by hypothesizing that evolved critical-like behavior may exist. The interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of this project will be emphasized through the development of a strong outreach program for the public understanding of science. Swarming demonstrations capture the imagination and allow meaningful and creative interactions allowing the fundamental principles of collective behavior to be explored from a range of complimentary perspectives.