Slime mould computes planar shapes
Emerging Technologies
2012-06-26 v1 Pattern Formation and Solitons
Abstract
Computing a polygon defining a set of planar points is a classical problem of modern computational geometry. In laboratory experiments we demonstrate that a concave hull, a connected alpha-shape without holes, of a finite planar set is approximated by slime mould Physarum polycephalum. We represent planar points with sources of long-distance attractants and short-distance repellents and inoculate a piece of plasmodium outside the data set. The plasmodium moves towards the data and envelops it by pronounced protoplasmic tubes.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1106.0305,
title = {Slime mould computes planar shapes},
author = {Andrew Adamatzky},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1106.0305},
year = {2012}
}