EAGER: Self-organizing particle systems: Models and algorithms

本项目的目标是为自组织粒子系统的算法研究奠定基础。粒子系统是简单计算粒子的物理系统，它可以与其他粒子结合，并可以利用这些键与邻近粒子进行通信，并从一个点移动到另一个(未占用的)点。这些粒子系统应该能够自组织，以便在没有任何中央控制的情况下适应所需的形状。自组织粒子系统有许多有趣的应用，如用于监测和修复目的的涂层对象，用于外科手术的纳米设备的形成和分子尺度的电子结构。虽然在这一领域已经有了相当多的系统工作，特别是在模块化自重构机器人系统的背景下，但到目前为止，在这一领域的理论工作还很少。这个项目将通过提出一些基本模型和解决这一领域的一些基本算法问题，为严格的自组织粒子系统算法研究奠定基础。这个为期一年的项目的主要目标是(I)为粒子系统开发合适的模型；(Ii)开发智能油漆问题的自组织算法；以及(Iii)更好地教育计算机科学(CS)理论/算法社区关于自组织粒子系统。拟议的NSF赞助的研讨会将促进这一跨学科领域的研究合作。

The goal of this project is to lay the foundations for algorithmic research on self-organizing particle systems. Particle systems are physical systems of simple computational particles that can bond to other particles and that can use these bonds in order to communicate with neighboring particles and to move from one spot to another (non-occupied) spot. These particle systems are supposed to be able to self-organize in order to adapt to a desired shape without any central control. Self-organizing particle systems have many interesting applications like coating objects for monitoring and repair purposes and the formation of nano-scale devices for surgery and molecular-scale electronic structures. While there has been quite a lot of systems work in this area, especially in the context of modular self-reconfigurable robotic systems, only very little theoretical work has been done in this area so far. This project will prepare the ground for rigorous algorithmic research on self-organizing particle systems by proposing some basic models and solving some basic algorithmic problems in this area.The main objectives of this one-year project are (i) to develop appropriate models for particle systems; (ii) to develop self-organizing algorithms for smart paint problems; and (iii) to better educate the Computer Science (CS) Theory/Algorithms community on self-organizing particle systems. The proposed NSF sponsored workshop will foster collaboration of research in this interdisciplinary area.