Property:Description
From Thermodynamics of Computation
This is a property of type Text.
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A conference for exploring technological options arising from novel computational architectures in unconventional substrates; and for working towards a general, rigorous theory of computing in non-digital, "brain-like" physical substrates. +
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A postdoc position is open in my recently established group (https://sites.google.com/site/andrecbarato/home) in the Department of Physics of the University of Houston. The position is for two years and the postdoc will work with me on stochastic thermodynamics. Specific topics of interest include bounds on fluctuations in nonequilibrium systems, periodically driven systems, applications related to biophysics, and the relation between information and thermodynamics. Interested candidates should write an email to barato@uh.edu. Starting date is negotiable. +
A postdoctoral fellowship in theoretical / computational statistical physics on modeling DNA replication. See http://www.sfu.ca/chaos/opportunities.htm below for more details. Contact: John Bechhoefer (johnb@sfu.ca) +
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Annual March Meeting of American Physical Society (APS) +
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Biannual conference organized by Joel Lebowitz at Rutgers. Invited talks by Michael Aizenman, Paul Chaikin, and Jennifer Chayes +
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Complex molecules found in nature are the results of chemical reactions in biological systems, i.e. living systems. But what is the maximum complexity that can be found abiotically without the use of a biological system and is there a limit to the complexity that biological systems can produce (or humans can understand)? Is the chemical variation of life on earth the most robust form potentially evolvable, or just robust enough? Is it efficient to mimic biological synthesis pathways by means from the organic chemistry toolbox? +
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Computation is a physical process in the sense that any information processing must be implemented in some medium that obeys the laws of physics, and is crucially bound by the limitations this imposes. Nonetheless, theoretical computer science is largely a mathematical theory that does not make reference to the laws of physics. For example, there is no need to specify how it is possible that a Turing machine can make deterministic state transitions reliably or that it moves into a particular direction depending on its state. In electronic computers, there is not much need to worry about this, either.
However, with recent developments in many fields it is becoming apparent that computation is a useful concept far beyond the disciplinary boundaries of computer science. Perhaps the most important class of natural computers can be found in biological systems that perform computation on multiple levels. Examples at the smallest scale are kinetic proofreading, molecular sensing, and DNA replication. Further up the hierarchy are gene regulatory networks and protein-protein interaction networks that sense the cellular environment and change the internal state of the cell accordingly. At the super-cellular level there is the brain which has substantial processing capabilities that still surpass the ability of the best electronic computers. It is thus clear that ecologies, organismal communication, economies, and societies must, on some level, compute as well. +
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Entropy 2018: From Physics to Information Sciences and Geometry +
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For over 37 years, the Max Ent workshops have explored the use of Bayesian and Maximum Entropy methods in scientific and engineering applications. The workshop invites contributions on all aspects of probabilistic inference, including novel techniques and applications, and work that sheds new light on the foundations of inference. +
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I am currently looking to fill an open post-doc position in my group (https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/horowitz-lab/) as soon as possible. Interested candidate should have strong analytic skills and be interested in working at the interface of thermodynamics and biology. Please email CV and short research description including how your work complements the groups to jmhorow@umich.edu. +
I seek to hire a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to work on theoretical and computational biophysics, specifically developing theory and numerical simulation for the design, analysis, and interpretation of experiments probing the fundamentals of effective molecular-scale energy transduction, both within model biophysical systems and molecular machines. Within this broad research thrust there is ample freedom to pursue particular areas of personal scientific interest. Initial appointment is for 1 year; extension to 2 years or longer is possible, based on mutual agreement. Interested candidates should send to dsivak AT sfu.ca a cover letter, detailed CV (including publication list and contact information for 3 references), and undergraduate and graduate transcripts (unofficial are fine). Start date is flexible, but the sooner the better. +
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See link +
Stochastic thermodynamics describes the fluctuating behaviour of small systems driven out of equilibrium. Recent experimental advances have led to precise experimental tests of fluctuation relations and other novel universal thermodynamic features at the mesoscale. This workshop will bring together experimentalists and theorists to discuss the state of the art and future directions of this emerging, evolving field. +
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The Computing Community Consortium (CCC) will hold a visioning workshop in Hawaii in early January, 2019 to create a vision for thermodynamic computing, a statement of research needs, and a summary of the current state of understanding of this new area. Workshop attendance will be by invitation only and travel expenses will be available for select participants. We seek short white papers to help create the agenda for the workshop and select attendees. See the application tab for more information.
Thermodynamics has a long history in the engineering of computing systems due to its role in power consumption, scaling, and device performance [1],[2]. In a different context, thermodynamically motivated algorithmic techniques are prevalent and highly successful in areas such as machine learning [3], simulated annealing [4], and neuromorphic systems. The foundational thinking underlying much of the existing technology derives largely from equilibrium properties of closed thermodynamic systems. We aim to foster a community to extend these foundations into the domain of non-equilibrium thermodynamics toward the development of a new class of technologies that we call open thermodynamic computers.
The overall intuition is that striving for thermodynamic efficiency is not only highly desirable in hardware components, but may also be used as an embedded capability in the creation of algorithms: can dissipated heat be used to trigger adaptation/restructuring of (parts of) the functioning hardware, thus allowing hardware to evolve increasingly efficient computing strategies? Recent theoretical developments in non-equilibrium thermodynamics suggest that thermodynamics drives the organization of open systems as a natural response to external input potentials; that is, that these systems adapt as they dissipate energy, enter low dissipation homeostatic states and as a result ‘learn’ to ‘predict’ future inputs [5],[6]. For example, lower bounds on thermodynamic efficiency in driven systems (away from equilibrium), indicate that systems have to retain relevant, predictive information in order to be thermodynamically efficient [7],[8]. This strategy is, of course, the same as what is followed in machine learning (and, in general, in science): predictive inference [9]. This interesting connection between energy efficiency and information processing inspires us to bring together researchers in the various disciplines with the goal of building the foundations that would allow us to build radically different computing systems.
This CCC workshop will gather a set of leading researchers working to define open thermodynamic computers, to describe the reasons that they should be studied, to enumerate the major challenges that lay before us, and to create a strategy for a way forward. We seek a diverse group of physical theorists, electrical and computer engineers, and electronic / ionic device researchers with strong understanding of thermodynamics.
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Special Issue titled "The Fuzziness in Molecular, Supramolecular, and Systems Chemistry" of the journal Molecules (MDPI, IF=3.098) +
The submission to the Special Issue titled "The Fuzziness in Molecular, Suparmolecular, and Systems Chemistry" is open. Pier Luigi Gentili is the Guest Editor. +
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We seek to hire a postdoctoral fellow to develop theory to support the design, analysis, and interpretation of experiments probing the fundamentals of information-to-energy conversion out of equilibrium. The position will be co-supervised by Profs. J. Bechhoefer (experiment) and D. Sivak and S. Still (both theory). The primary location is the Physics department at Simon Fraser University (in Vancouver, BC), but there will also be extended visits to Prof. Still at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. The ideal candidate would have experience with statistical mechanics and information theory, and a PhD in a relevant field (broadly construed: physics, or relevant areas of chemistry, applied math, engineering, statistics, computer science, etc). But most important is intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm for research in this area, and an excellent track record in previous projects. Please see http://www.sfu.ca/chaos/opportunities.htm +
