Tue Oct 27 · 2:30pm
Physical Math Seminar: Olivia Pomerenk (Brown University)
In "Flocking and floating," Olivia Pomerenk of Brown University presents mathematical models of collective behaviour in fluids at two scales. The first half develops a boundary-element framework for particles that attract, repel and organise at a fluid interface; the second models the wake-vortex interactions of two flapping birds in tandem, finding the follower's most efficient position for northern bald ibises and probing why birds fly in V-formation.