Events

Adaptive Data-Driven Modeling of Complex Systems

In this talk, we present a multiscale adaptive data-driven framework to simulate the behavior of complex systems. Such complex systems typically display non-linear, non-local, micro-morphic features that have challenged continuum and discrete models for over a century. We use granular materials as canonical examples of complex systems to contextualize our proposed data-driven framework, highlighting its ability to bridge the continuum scale with experimental data or grain-scale physics-based simulations. In contrast to continuum phenomenological models and standard multiscale techniques, our approach is parameter-free, physics-based, and true to the entire data set. Additionally, we show that the adaptive nature of the data-driven approach gives rise to a new generation of models that admit goal-oriented data assimilation as a standard feature. This feature is not readily available in phenomenological models that rely on a posteriori metrics of error, resulting in increased complexity, obscurity, and inaccuracy. Conversely, the adaptive data-driven models can incorporate data seamlessly and thereby increase their accuracy to a priori user-specified levels. We argue that this approach to modeling is fundamentally different from current modeling philosophies. 

José E. Andrade

José E. Andrade is the George W. Housner Professor of Civil and Mechanical Engineering and the former Cecil and Sally Drinkward Leadership Chair of the Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering at Caltech. Also, Dr. Andrade served as Vice President of Innovation and Civil Engineering at Energy Vault, Inc. (NRGV at the NYSE), the creator of green energy storage solutions at grid scale, including its proprietary gravity energy storage system (GESS) solution. Dr. Andrade led product development for NRGV’s next-generation technologies, enabling flawless deployment to customers worldwide. He is the co-inventor of Energy Skyscrapers, combining GESS with tall buildings, effectively transforming skyscrapers into CO2 sinks.   

His research interests lie in complex systems mechanics with application to problems at the interface of physics and mechanics to develop predictive analytical and numerical models for granular, porous, and discontinuous systems (e.g., regolith, asteroids, batteries), with special focus on energy applications and space missions. Prof. Andrade is the recipient of several honors and awards including the 2006 Zienkiewicz Medal in computational mechanics, the 2010 NSF CAREER Award, the 2010 Young Investigator Award from the U.S. AFOSR, the 2011 Arthur Casagrande Career Development Award from ASCE, the 2011 Rocafuerte Medal for Scientific and Technological Advancements from the Republic of Ecuador, the 2017 Thomas Hughes Young Investigator Award from ASME, the 2018 Huber Research Prize from ASCE. A Fellow of ASME, Andrade also served on the Science Team for the NASA’s InSight Mission to Mars. He is on the editorial board for some of the leading journals in the field and Associate Editor of the ASME’s Applied Mechanics Reviews. Andrade's work is currently funded by NSF, ARO, and NASA.