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Anita Kollwitz

Rustum Choksi, McGill University, Montreal: Voronoi Tessellations: Optimal Quantization and Modelling Collective Behavior (Ringvorlesung)

Wednesday, 13.04.2022 16:00 im Raum M2

Mathematik und Informatik

Given a set of N distinct points (generators) in a domain (a bounded subset of Euclidean space or a compact Riemannian manifold), a Voronoi tessellation is a partition of the domain into N regions (Voronoi cells) with the following property: all points in the interior of the i-th Voronoi cell are closer to the i-th generating point than to any other generator.Voronoi tessellations give rise to a wealth of analytic, geometric, and computational questions. They are also very useful in mathematical and computational modelling. This talk will consist of three parts. We begin by introducing the basic definitions and geometry of Voronoi tessellations, centroidal Voronoi tessellations (CVTs), and the notion of optimal quantization. We will then address simple, yet rich, questions on optimal quantization on the 2D and 3D torus, and on the 2-sphere. We will address the geometric nature of the global minimizer (the optimal CVT), presenting a few conjectures and a short discussion on rigorous asymptotic results and their proofs. We will then shift gears to address the use Voronoi tessellations in modelling collective behaviours. Collective behaviour in biological systems, in particular the contrast and connection between individual and collective behaviour, has fascinated researchers for decades. A well-studied paradigm entails the tendency of groups of individual agents to form flocks, swarms, herds, schools, etc. We will first review some well-known and widely used models for collective behaviour. We will then present a new dynamical model for generic crowds in which individual agents are aware of their local Voronoi environment -- i.e., neighbouring agents and domain boundary features --and may seek static target locations. Our model incorporates features common to many other ``active matter'' models like collision avoidance, alignment among agents, and homing toward targets. However, it is novel in key respects: the model combines topological and metrical features in a natural manner based upon the local environment of the agent's Voronoi diagram. With only two parameters, it captures a wide range of collective behaviours. The results of many simulations will be shown. This talk will be aimed at an undergraduate level. All definitions and concepts will be introduced with prerequisites kept to a minimum (basically multivariable calculus).



Angelegt am Wednesday, 09.03.2022 11:53 von Anita Kollwitz
Geändert am Friday, 11.03.2022 11:31 von Anita Kollwitz
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