NON-LINEAR DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS AT THE CONVERGENCE OF ENGINEERING AND SOCIAL SCIENCES: A TRANSDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO ADAPTIVE SUSTAINABLITY

This thesis investigates nonlinear dynamical systems through a transdisciplinary lens, addressing three critical domains impacting human well-being: environmental pollution, climate migration and gender dynamics, and public health security. These are environmental induced challenges that impact health and social stability. These domains exhibit nonlinear characteristics that require adaptive, sustainable solutions beyond traditional linear approaches. Utilizing the Adaptive Pathways Framework (APF), this research integrates multi-scale fluid dynamics, engineering design, applied mathematics, and social science insights to create resilient models aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). The first focus area, aeroacoustic noise in urban air mobility, explores bio-inspired metamaterials for passive noise control. Periodic and quasi-periodic micropillar arrays inspired by sharkskin demonstrate significant noise reduction, contributing to quieter and more sustainable urban environments. The second area addresses climate migration, applying dimensional analysis from fluid dynamics to model migration patterns influenced by environmental, social, and economic factors. This framework offers policymakers quantitative tools for climate adaptation strategies. The third area centers on refugee empowerment, focusing on gender-targeted interventions that integrate STEM education and entrepreneurship to support social integration. This work provides scalable pathways for empowering refugee women and fostering resilience within refugee communities. The fourth area addresses gender equity in STEM, employing nudge theory and design thinking to challenge biases and create a more inclusive environment. Behavioral interventions here offer strategies for sustainable change in scientific research practices. Finally, the fifth area, public health security, explores sustainable innovations for pandemic resilience, including virus filtration and electrostatic disinfection technologies, balancing immediate health needs with long-term environmental considerations. This thesis underscores the efficacy of transdisciplinary approaches in tackling complex, nonlinear challenges, promoting sustainable, adaptive outcomes for global environmental, social, gender, and health stability.