Projects in Introduction to Computational Physics

• Using LIF Model to Simulate Neural Network Selection Process

In this project, I used a continuous recurrent network model of spiking neurons with Leaky Integrate-and-fire Model, in which each neuron has its preferred motion direction ranging from zero degree to 360 degree to simulate a monkey's visual perception. To simplify the model, only the connectivity between pyramidal cells should be considered during simulation. I used this model to explore how external stimuli affect the activity of neurons. The activity of neuron after the outside stimulus is shown in the key results below. It is demonstrated that the monkey's neuronal activity is highly related with the external stimuli and thus affects the choice of visual direction.

Some key results

• Research on Cluster Dynamics Based on Vicsek Model

The Vicsek model describes the movement of a group of individuals on a two-dimensional plane. The movement rules of the model are as follows: the individual's movement speed remains unchanged in each time step, and the direction is the average direction of the surrounding individuals. In order to study the movement of birds in the presence of predators, I adopted a new model to study the relative positions of the flock of birds and the predator during the flight. In the process of escaping, the movement of the bird flock is the movement of the limited field of view Vicsek model plus the movement away from the predator. The speed is related to the distance between the bird and predator. The videos below show the relative position of the bird flock and the predator in different situations.