Abstract: Complex systems and networks capture most of the features in existing systems and have gained considerable attention over the past several decades. In recent years, research has extended to the fields of networked control systems, cyber-physical systems, logical networks, neural networks, and related topics. This is mainly due to rapid developments in communication, computer, and information technologies, which enable the handling of large-scale data that cannot be easily handled via traditional methods. More importantly, newly invented technologies such as wireless sensor networks, decentralized control, and deep learning techniques need distributed control strategies to ensure their robustness, flexibility, scalability, low cost, and easy configuration and maintenance.
Recent decades have witnessed massive developments and advances in complex systems and networks. Many insightful results and powerful methods have been reported. Complex systems and networks have been broadly applied to both civil and military fields. Typical examples include transportation systems, power grids, health and medical fields, aerospace, and industrial systems. With increasing demands for clean energy, low cost, more security, and better health, the study of complex systems and networks is attracting more attention, from both academic and industrial communities.
In this context, the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) organized a special issue of Frontiers of Information Technology & Electronic Engineering, focusing on complex systems and networks with their applications. This special issue aims to promote re-search on complex systems and networks, and to reflect on the most recent advances, with emphasis on both theories and applications. After a rigorous re-view process, 12 papers by researchers worldwide have been selected for this special issue, including two survey papers and 10 research papers.

复杂系统与网络及其应用