The Third "Dark Cloud" in the Sky of Physics

Based on the master stability function theory, the synchronization transition on complex networks is a second-order phase transition. However, both insight in the human brain and cascading failures in power grids exhibit explosive synchronization, which is a first-order phase transition. This contradiction has given rise to the third "dark cloud" in the sky of physics. As we all know, the first two dark clouds triggered a profound upheaval, ultimately spawning two major theoretical systems—relativity and quantum mechanics—and marking the starting point of the physics revolution in the 20th century. So, what surprises will this third "dark cloud" bring? Is it worthy of the title of "dark cloud"? This lecture will attempt to comment on this issue from the perspective of the microscopic mechanisms of brain function.

Dr. Liu Zonghua is a Second-Class Professor at the School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, and Director of the Institute of Theoretical Physics. He has received support from the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (Ministry of Education), the Shanghai Pujiang Talent Program, the Shanghai Shuguang Talent Program, the Second-Class Prize of the Natural Science Award of the Ministry of Education (ranked first), and the Second-Class Prize of Shanghai Teaching Achievements (ranked first).

He has published four monographs: Fundamentals of Chaos Dynamics and Its Applications, Complex Systems and Complex Networks, Fundamentals of Chaos Dynamics and Its Applications in Brain Function, and Epidemic Spreading on Complex Networks. He has presided over 2 key projects of the National Natural Science Foundation of China and 1 project under the Science and Technology Innovation 2030 - Major Project.