Seminar 4th February 2011 11 a.m. University of Southampton, Avenue Campus, Building 65, Room 1133 (L/T A)
Location, Location, Complexification: Spatial Constraints Scaffold Complex Swarm-Built Architectures
Dr Seth Bullock
Institute for Complex Systems Simulation, University of Southampton
- Web page
- http://www.icss.soton.ac.uk/
- Categories
- Complex Systems
- Submitter
- Petrina Butler
Dr Seth Bullock
Complex Systems Simulation Seminar Series (CS^4)
from the Institute for Complex Systems Simulation, the Complexity in Real-World Contexts USRG and the Computational Modelling Group.
Abstract
Our designs for real-world systems are typically limited by the constraints imposed by physical space - not everything can be near to everything else, some parts must be at the periphery in order for others to be near the centre. The distances that separate the component parts of a system (be it a microchip or a University or a world-wide political movement) impose communication and co-ordination costs that must be paid in terms of time and energy. But are these kinds of frustrations always negative design factors that we must strive to overcome? Here it is argued that spatial embedding can sometimes enable or promote complex behaviour that would be harder to achieve in its absence. Examples from the natural world are presented alongside some theoretical work on a measure of neural complexity that suggests a way in which spatial embedding might scaffold complexity. The talk concludes by presenting some recent work on decentralised construction in which swarms of simple simulated "waspmites" collaboratively build complex structures by relying on spatially constrained communication inspired by the pheromones employed by real social insects.
Coffee available from 10:30am.
Speaker
Dr Seth Bullock, University of Southampton, School of Electronics and Computer Sciences Director, Institute for Complex Systems Simulation (ICSS), and Head of Group, Science & Engineering of Natural Systems (SENSe)
www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/people/sgb
Multidisciplinary Research Week
This event is part of Multidisciplinary Research Week which is happening at the University of Southampton from Monday, January 31 to Friday, February 4, 2011.
The full programme can be found here: http://www.multidisciplinary.soton.ac.uk/mrw.html
Complex Systems Simulation Seminar Series
For the complete CS^4 schedule please click here: http://www.multidisciplinary.soton.ac.uk/cs4.html
Contact
Multidisciplinary Research Co-ordinator
University Strategic Research Groups
Research and Innovation Services
02380 593244