A single-celled slime mould mindlessly foraging for food can create a network as efficient as the Tokyo rail system, researchers say.
A team of Japanese and British researchers say the behaviour of the amoeba-like mould could lead to better design of computer or communication networks.
The slime mould Physarum polycephalum grows to connect itself to food sources as part of its normal behaviour.
The mould “can find the shortest path through a maze or connect different arrays of food sources in an efficient manner,” wrote Atsushi Tero of Hokkaido University and his colleagues in this week’s issue of Science.
The researchers noticed that the slime mould spreading to gather scattered food sources organizes itself into a gelatinous network that interconnects the sources and looks somewhat like a railway system.
CBC: Slime mould mimics Tokyo’s railway
(via Social Physicist)
Yeesh, how do you think public transit planners feel right about now? “A single celled slime mould could do a better job than you!”
See also: Conway’s Game of Life Generates City.
May 31, 2011 at 6:42 pm
887756 beers on the wall.
August 12, 2011 at 8:07 am
I am often to running a blog and i really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your web site and keep checking for new information.
August 15, 2011 at 8:46 am
A powerful share, I simply given this onto a colleague who was doing a little analysis on this. And he actually bought me breakfast as a result of I discovered it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! However yeah Thnkx for spending the time to debate this, I really feel strongly about it and love studying more on this topic. If possible, as you change into experience, would you mind updating your blog with extra details? It is extremely useful for me. Huge thumb up for this weblog submit!
August 22, 2011 at 7:30 am
Aw, this was a really nice post. In concept I would like to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and precise effort to make an excellent article… however what can I say… I procrastinate alot and under no circumstances seem to get one thing done.
August 29, 2011 at 9:42 am
I was very happy to find this web-site.I wished to thanks to your time for this glorious learn!! I positively enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you weblog post.
September 6, 2011 at 7:17 am
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So nice to seek out any individual with some unique thoughts on this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this web site is one thing that’s needed on the net, somebody with a little originality. helpful job for bringing one thing new to the internet!
October 11, 2011 at 2:49 pm
Thank for sharing this information. You always share amazing information, I have bookmarked it for further reference. I feel enlightened.