Robustness and modular structure in networks

Many complex systems, from power grids and the internet, to the brain and society, can be modeled using modular networks. Modules, densely interconnected groups of elements, often overlap due to elements that belong to multiple modules. The elements and modules of these networks perform individual and collective tasks such as generating and consuming electrical load, transmitting data, or executing parallelized computations. We study the robustness of these systems to the failure of random elements. We show that it is possible for the modules themselves to become isolated or uncoupled (non-overlapping) well before the network falls apart. When modular organization is critical to overall functionality, networks may be far more vulnerable than expected. 1 

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2011
• Where: CORR
• Authors: James P. Bagrow, Sune Lehmann, Yong-Yeol Ahn
• Keywords: Collective Tasks, CORR 2011, Education, Power Grids, Random Elements