Network modelling: examples from computational neuroscience, biomaterial fracture and polymer mechanics
I will provide a brief overview of the research activities at our Institute, which involve the use of network models and in particular spectral graph theory. I show the common theoretical foundation of network modelling approaches to brain activity modelling and biological material failure. Systems belonging to these seemingly distant realms exhibit significant microstructural analogies, which allow for modeling approaches relying on similar hierarchical network topologies. Finally, beyond the case of biologically motivated network models, I will also present some preliminary results of the application of our methods to the prediction of mechanical properties of epoxy resins.