Applied Math Seminar
The Applied Math Seminar hosts a wide range of talks in fields such as applied analysis, mathematical biology, fluid dynamics and electromagnetics, numerical computation, etc.
The seminar usually meets at 2:30pm on Fridays in room 1302 of Warren Weaver Hall.
Please email oneil@cims.nyu.edu with suggestions for speakers. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please send an email to cims-ams+subscribe@nyu.edu from the address at which you wish to receive announcements.
Seminar Organizer(s): Mike O'Neil
Upcoming Events
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Friday, October 3, 20252:30PM, Warren Weaver Hall 1302
Infinity in a Nullshell: Solving Wave Equations on Unbounded Domains
Anil Zenginoglu, U MarylandSynopsis:
When wave propagation problems are posed on unbounded domains, most numerical solvers rely on truncation, such as absorbing boundary conditions or perfectly matched layers (PML). I will describe a geometric alternative that solves the original exterior problem numerically: spatial compactification combined with a time shift that places infinity as a characteristic (null) boundary on the computational grid. This method links ideas between Lorentzian geometry and hyperbolic PDEs.
In the frequency domain, the time shift acts as a rephasing that keeps oscillations bounded so the effective wavenumber remains finite after compactification. In the time domain, the transformed first-order system is symmetric hyperbolic with maximally dissipative boundaries, ensuring stability and tracking energy decay.
For practical applications, a Null Infinity Layer (NIL) can wrap any interior mesh by a layer of finite thickness representing the unbounded exterior domain. I will present numerical experiments of benchmark scattering problems showing that NIL has comparable accuracy to PML while providing acces to the far-field.
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Friday, November 7, 20252:30PM, Warren Weaver Hall 1302
Teaching Machines Fusion Physics: Interpretable ML for Safer, Smarter Plasmas
Cristina Rea, MITSynopsis:
Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are increasingly transforming fusion research, complementing and, in many cases, surpassing traditional statistical tools. These methods are accelerating progress by enabling more accurate modeling, optimized strategies, and enhanced experimental realization [1].
In this seminar, we will focus on the development of interpretable ML-driven metrics for two critical challenges in magnetic confinement fusion: (1) real-time monitoring of proximity to plasma stability boundaries [2,3,4] and (2) the optimization of plasma trajectories [5,6]. By emphasizing interpretability, these approaches not only deliver predictive power but also provide insights that are actionable for control and disruption prevention.
A key element of this work is the use and development of JAX frameworks [7,8], which enable seamless integration of physics equations with neural networks. This hybrid modeling approach accelerates system identification for plasma dynamics, advancing the reliability, efficiency, and scalability of ML-enabled solutions for both existing and next-generation fusion devices – a key focus of the MIT PSFC Disruptions Team (https://disruptions.mit.edu/)
References:
- Rea J.l of Fusion Energy 44, 39 (2025) https://doi.org/10.1007/s10894-025-00509-z
- Rea, IAEA Fusion Energy Conference Proceedings EX/P1–25 (2021)
- Barr et al., Nucl. Fusion 61, 126019 (2021)
- Maris, Rea et al., Nucl. Fusion 65, 016051 (2025)
- Wang, Rea et al., Comm. Physics (2025) https://www.nature.com/articles/s42005-025-02146-6
- Wang, Pau, Rea et al., Nature Communications (accepted, 2025) https://arxiv.org/pdf/2502.12327v2
- Bradbury et al., (2018) http://github.com/jax-ml/jax
- Wang et al., IEEE TPS (submitted, 2025)
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Friday, November 14, 20252:30PM, Warren Weaver Hall 1302
TBD
Hanwen Zhang, Yale -
Friday, November 21, 20252:30PM, Warren Weaver Hall 1302
TBD
Roy Goodman, NJIT -
Friday, December 5, 20252:30PM, Warren Weaver Hall 1302
TBD
Jason Kaye, Flatiron Institute