Northwestern physicists find network disorder can enhance stability

The short version

• Northwestern University physicists discovered that balanced variation or disorder improves the stability of networks like power grids and ecosystems.[ScienceDaily]
• The findings build on earlier research showing benefits of asymmetry in electrical generators and drone swarm models.[ScienceDaily]
• Researchers published their results in the journal Science following funding from the Army Research Office and National Science Foundation.[ScienceDaily]

Key facts

• Physicists at Northwestern University determined that disorder or variation can increase the stability of networks such as power grids, ecosystems, neurons, and materials.[ScienceDaily]
• The study was published on Sept. 17 in the journal Science.[ScienceDaily]
• The research received funding from the Army Research Office under grant W911NF-22-2-0109 and the National Science Foundation under grant DMS-2308341.[ScienceDaily]

Sources

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• Scientists find that “perfect” systems may be surprisingly fragileScienceDaily - Science