Gr´egoire Nicolis, of the Founders of Complexity Science: A Recollection

Abstract

Gr´egoire Nicolis’ memorable and seminal influence in the development of modern statistical mechanics, physical chemistry and nonlinear dynamics, his contribution to founding Complexity Science and memories of his tutelage are presented in this short review. After tracing the guiding ideas of his numerous contributions we discuss two particular and contemporary unfolding areas of research that constitute part of his rich heritage. The first stemmed of his later work on a new paradigm of crystallization and aggregation and has to do with the new developments towards self-organized, adaptive or ’smart’ materials. The second is related to his arching interdisciplinary ideas concerning complex systems that, having reached biology, are leading the investigation of coordinated motion and decision making in collective dynamics of social animals.