The Center for Complex Systems Research (CCSR) studies systems that display adaptive, self-organizing behavior and systems that are usually characterized by a large throughput, such as turbulent flow, lightning, and the flow of information through the internet.

To describe these complex systems, we develop models and techniques drawn from nonlinear dynamics and chaos, neural nets, cellular automata, artificial life, and genetic algorithms.

Each year CCSR organizes and hosts the conference Understanding Complex Systems.

The Center for Complex Systems Research has a rich history. Founded in 1986 by Stephen Wolfram, the center was later led by Norman Packard and E. Atlee Jackson. A collection of technical reports and scientific publications of CCSR researchers ranging from cellular automata to entrainment control of chaos, experimental studies of turbulent flows, chaotic electronic circuits, and fractal agglomeration patterns is available.

The research at CCSR is supported by the National Science Foundation Grant No. NSF PHY 01-40179, NSF DMS 03-25939 ITR, and NSF DGE 03-38215