ERI: Advancing Design of Highly Chaotic Systems with Higher-Dimensional Analysis and Human-in-the-Loop Reinforced Learning

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $200,000 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

This Engineering Research Initiation (ERI) project supports research that aims to establish a new foundation for the analysis and design of chaotic systems by investigating how higher-dimensional representations and topological modeling can fundamentally alter the way engineers perceive and interact with complex dynamics. Many critical engineering challenges, such as trajectory design for space missions, occur within chaotic regimes where small changes in initial conditions can lead to vastly different outcomes. Traditional approaches often reduce these systems to oversimplified, low-dimensional representations that obscure their full complexity, leading to inefficiencies and blind spots in design. To address these challenges, this project seeks to answer two research questions – 1) how can expanding the dimensionality of the problem space, while incorporating topological methods from knot theory, enhance the analysis, visualization, and design of complex chaotic systems to reveal previously unattainable solutions? 2) how does knot theory-informed reinforcement learning with human-in-the-loop interactions enhance design quality, guidance, and decision efficiency and accuracy? This project hypothesizes that by expanding the dimensionality of the design space and integrating human-in-the-loop learning with mathematical insights from knot theory, it is possible to reveal new solutions and guide users toward more efficient, accurate, and interpretable design decisions. This work

Key facts

NSF award ID
2501408
Awardee
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (FL)
SAM.gov UEI
U5MMBAC9XAM5
PI
David Canales Garcia
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
Complex Systems, System Design and Simulation, WOMEN, MINORITY, DISABLED, NEC, RESEARCH INITIATION AWARD
Estimated total
$200,000
Funds obligated
$200,000
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
06/01/2025 → 05/31/2027