In the current work, we study a stochastic parabolic problem. The presented problem is motivated by the study of an idealised electrically actuated MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) device in the case of random fluctuations of the potential difference, a parameter that actually controls the operation of MEMS device. We first present the construction of the mathematical model, and then, we deduce some local existence results. Next for some particular versions of the model, relevant to various boundary conditions, we derive quenching results as well as estimations of the probability for such singularity to occur. Additional numerical study of the problem in one dimension follows, which also allows the further investigation the problem with respect to its quenching behaviour.

Networked dynamical systems, i.e., systems of dynamical units coupled via nontrivial interaction topologies, constitute models of broad classes of complex systems, ranging from gene regulatory and metabolic circuits in our cells to pandemics spreading across continents. Most of such systems are driven by irregular and distributed fluctuating input signals from the environment. Yet how networked dynamical systems collectively respond to such fluctuations depends on the location and type of driving signal, the interaction topology and several other factors and remains largely unknown to date. As a key example, modern electric power grids are undergoing a rapid and systematic transformation towards more sustainable systems, signified by high penetrations of renewable energy sources. These in turn introduce significant fluctuations in power input and thereby pose immediate challenges to the stable operation of power grid systems. How power grid systems dynamically respond to fluctuating power feed-in as well as other temporal changes is critical for ensuring a reliable operation of power grids yet not well understood. In this work, we systematically introduce a linear response theory (LRT) for fluctuation-driven networked dynamical systems. The derivations presented not only provide approximate analytical descriptions of the dynamical responses of networks, but more importantly, also allow to extract key qualitative features about spatio-temporally distributed response patterns. Specifically, we provide a general formulation of a LRT for perturbed networked dynamical systems, explicate how dynamic network response patterns arise from the solution of the linearised response dynamics, and emphasise the role of LRT in predicting and comprehending power grid responses on different temporal and spatial scales and to various types of disturbances. Understanding such patterns from a general, mathematical perspective enables to estimate network responses quickly and intuitively, and to develop guiding principles for, e.g., power grid operation, control and design.

In this paper we are concerned with modelling the reliability of a system subject to external shocks. In a run shock model, the system fails when a sequence of shocks above a threshold arrive in succession. Nevertheless, using a single threshold to measure the severity of a shock is too critical in real practice. To this end, we develop a generalized run shock model with two thresholds. We employ a phase-type distribution to model the damage size and the inter-arrival time of shocks, which is highly versatile and may be used to model many quantitative features of random phenomenon. Furthermore, we use the Markovian property to construct a multi-state system which degrades with the arrival of shocks. We also provide a numerical example to illustrate our results.

Multi-field coupling simulation method based on the physical principles is used to simulate the discharge characteristics of nanosecond pulsed plasma synthetic jet actuator. Considering the effect of the energy transferring for air, the flow characteristics of nanosecond pulsed plasma synthetic jet actuator are simulated. The elastic heating sources and ion joule heating sources are the two main sources of energy. Through the collisions, the energy of ions is transferred to the neutral gas quickly. The flow characteristics of a series of blast waves and the synthetic jet which erupt from the plasma synthetic jet (PSJ) actuator are simulated. The blast wave not only promotes outward, but also accelerates the gas mixing the inhaled gas from the outside cavity with the residual gas inside the cavity. The performances of PSJ actuator fluctuate in the first three incentive cycles and become stable after that.

We propose a class of random scale-free spatial networks with nested community structures called SHEM and analyze Reed–Frost epidemics with community related independent transmissions. We show that in a specific example of the SHEM the epidemic threshold may be trivial or not as a function of the relation among community sizes, distribution of the number of communities, and transmission rates.

We model diffusion-controlled crystal growth as an interference problem. The crystal layers grow by nucleation (initiation of crystallization centers) followed by attachment of molecules to the nucleus. A forming crystal layer completes by either spreading across the length of the crystal or by colliding with another spreading crystal layer. This model differs from the classical Johnson-Mehl-Kolmogorov model in that nucleation happens only on boundaries of a ‘seed’ crystal as opposed to nucleation from random points in a given region. Our results also differ from the limiting results found for this classical model. We use the invariant measure of an embedded Markov process to find the growth rate of the crystal in terms of the nucleation rates. Ergodic theorems are then used to derive explicit formulae for some stationary probabilities.

We consider two independent homogeneous Poisson processes Π0 and Π1 in the plane with intensities λ0 and λ1, respectively. We study additive functionals of the set of Π0-particles within a typical Voronoi Π1-cell. We find the first and the second moments of these variables as well as upper and lower bounds on their distribution functions, implying an exponential asymptotic behavior of their tails. Explicit formulae are given for the number and the sum of distances from Π0-particles to the nucleus within a typical Voronoi Π1-cell.

Properties of the funnel boundary are investigated for multivalued dynamical systems defined axiomatically in terms of attainability set mappings on complete, locally compact metric state spaces. The set of regular boundary events is shown to be dense in the funnel boundary and theorems of Fukuhara and Zaremba on peripheral attainability are generalized to the systems considered here.