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On Building Practical Biocomputers for Real-world Applications: Receptacles for Culturing Slime Mould Memristors and Component Standardisation

Edward Braund, Eduardo Reck Miranda   

  1. Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research (ICCMR), The House, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, UK, PL4 8AA
  • 收稿日期:2016-06-14 修回日期:2016-12-14 出版日期:2017-01-10 发布日期:2017-01-14
  • 通讯作者: Edward Braund E-mail:edward.braund@plymouth.ac.uk
  • 作者简介:Edward Braund, Eduardo Reck Miranda

On Building Practical Biocomputers for Real-world Applications: Receptacles for Culturing Slime Mould Memristors and Component Standardisation

Edward Braund, Eduardo Reck Miranda   

  1. Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research (ICCMR), The House, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, UK, PL4 8AA
  • Received:2016-06-14 Revised:2016-12-14 Online:2017-01-10 Published:2017-01-14
  • Contact: Edward Braund E-mail:edward.braund@plymouth.ac.uk
  • About author:Edward Braund, Eduardo Reck Miranda

摘要: Our application of bionic engineering is novel: we are interested in developing hybrid hardware-wetware systems for music. This paper introduces receptacles for culturing Physarum polycephalum-based memristors that are highly accessible to the creative practitioner. The myxomycete Physarum polycephalum is an amorphous unicellular organism that has been found to exhibit memristive properties. Such a discovery has potential to allow us to move towards engineering electrical systems that encompass Physarum polycephalum components. To realise this potential, it is necessary to address some of the constraints associated with harnessing living biological entities in systems for real-time application. Within the paper, we present 3D printed receptacles designed to standardise both the production of components and memristive observations. Subsequent testing showed a significant decrease in growth time, increased lifespan, and superior similarity in component-to-component responses. The results indicate that our receptacle design may provide means of implementing hybrid electrical systems for music technology.

关键词: Physarum polycephalum, biological computing, memristor, unconventional computing, computer music

Abstract: Our application of bionic engineering is novel: we are interested in developing hybrid hardware-wetware systems for music. This paper introduces receptacles for culturing Physarum polycephalum-based memristors that are highly accessible to the creative practitioner. The myxomycete Physarum polycephalum is an amorphous unicellular organism that has been found to exhibit memristive properties. Such a discovery has potential to allow us to move towards engineering electrical systems that encompass Physarum polycephalum components. To realise this potential, it is necessary to address some of the constraints associated with harnessing living biological entities in systems for real-time application. Within the paper, we present 3D printed receptacles designed to standardise both the production of components and memristive observations. Subsequent testing showed a significant decrease in growth time, increased lifespan, and superior similarity in component-to-component responses. The results indicate that our receptacle design may provide means of implementing hybrid electrical systems for music technology.

Key words: Physarum polycephalum, biological computing, memristor, unconventional computing, computer music