PDE-AI Workshop: ACC 2026

2026-05-26 · 2:15 PM

Abstract

This work will discuss several key challenges and opportunities in the use of machine learning for nonlinear system identification. In particular, I will describe how machine learning may be used to develop accurate and efficient nonlinear dynamical systems models for complex natural and engineered systems. I will emphasize the need for interpretable and generalizable data-driven models, such as the sparse identification of nonlinear dynamics (SINDy) algorithm, which identifies a minimal dynamical system model that balances model complexity with accuracy, avoiding overfitting. I will also introduce several key benchmark problems in dynamical systems and fluid dynamics that provide a diversity of metrics to assess modern system identification techniques. Because fluid dynamics is central to transportation, health, and defense systems, we will emphasize the importance of embedding known physics into machine learning algorithms.

Biography

Steven L. Brunton is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Washington. He is also Adjunct Professor of Applied Mathematics and Computer science, and a Data Science Fellow at the eScience Institute. Steve received the B.S. in mathematics from Caltech in 2006 and the Ph.D. in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Princeton in 2012. His research combines machine learning with dynamical systems to model and control systems in fluid dynamics, biolocomotion, optics, energy systems, and manufacturing. He received the Army and Air Force Young Investigator Program (YIP) awards and the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). Steve is also passionate about teaching math to engineers as co-author of three textbooks and through his popular YouTube channel, under the moniker “eigensteve”.