Press release -
Learning the intrinsic dynamics of spatio-temporal processes through Latent Dynamics Networks.
Published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications was the article "Learning the intrinsic dynamics of spatio-temporal processes through Latent Dynamics Networks." the result of a study conducted at the MOX laboratory of the Politecnico di Milano (Department of Mathematics), by Francesco Regazzoni, Stefano Pagani, Matteo Salvador (now at Stanford University), Luca Dede' and Alfio Quarteroni.
The Politecnico researchers introduced an innovative type of artificial neural network, called "Latent Dynamics Network" (LDNet), which opens new perspectives in the study of the evolution of systems with spatio-temporal dynamics in response to external stimuli.
Predicting the evolution of complex systems is essential to scientific progress. Traditional approaches based on numerical simulations and mathematical models, however, are often characterized by prohibitive cost and computational time, limiting their applicability in concrete contexts. The novelty introduced by the Politecnico’s researchers is the use of Artificial Intelligence techniques to describe system evolution in low-dimensional spaces, thus providing accurate predictions in extremely short timeframes.
Relevance of the data-driven approach
The traditional use of differential equations to model spatiotemporal phenomena, such as fluid dynamics, wave propagation and molecular dynamics, poses significant mathematical and computational challenges. Data-driven methods, as pointed out by the researchers of Politecnico, represent a new paradigm that can overcome these limitations. Data-driven approaches can learn directly from experimental data or build surrogates for high-fidelity models, providing results more quickly and efficiently.
The proposed method: Latent Dynamics Networks
In this study, researchers of Politecnico introduced Latent Dynamics Networks (LDNet), which offer significant innovations over existing methodologies. Such neural networks are able to automatically detect the intrinsic dynamics of the physical system under investigation by representing its state with a small number of variables, called latent variables. Compared with data-driven methods considered state of the art, LDNets allow for up to 5 times more accurate results, while at the same time allowing for a reduction of more than 90 percent in the number of parameters required.
Implications and future perspectives
The implications and future prospects of this innovation are broad, ranging from fluid dynamics to biomechanics, from earth sciences to epidemiology, to name a few. LDNets promise to revolutionize the study of complex systems with space-time dynamics, positively impacting various aspects of scientific research, from real-time simulations to sensitivity analysis, parameter estimation and uncertainty quantification.
For more details, please see the full article published in Nature Communications.
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Politecnico di Milano is a scientific-technological university which trains engineers, architects and industrial designers.
The University has always focused on the quality and innovation of its teaching and research, developing a fruitful relationship with business and productive world by means of experimental research and technological transfer.
Research has always been linked to didactics and it is a priority commitment which has allowed Politecnico Milano to achieve high quality results at an international level as to join the university to the business world. Research constitutes a parallel path to that formed by cooperation and alliances with the industrial system.
Knowing the world in which you are going to work is a vital requirement for training students. By referring back to the needs of the industrial world and public administration, research is facilitated in following new paths and dealing with the need for constant and rapid innovation. The alliance with the industrial world, in many cases favored by Fondazione Politecnico and by consortiums to which Politecnico belong, allows the university to follow the vocation of the territories in which it operates and to be a stimulus for their development.
The challenge which is being met today projects this tradition which is strongly rooted in the territory beyond the borders of the country, in a relationship which is developing first of all at the European level with the objective of contributing to the creation of a single professional training market. Politecnico takes part in several research, sites and training projects collaborating with the most qualified European universities. Politecnico's contribution is increasingly being extended to other countries: from North America to Southeast Asia to Eastern Europe. Today the drive to internationalization sees Politecnico Milano taking part into the European and world network of leading technical universities and it offers several courses beside many which are entirely taught in English.
