GENERAL PURPOSE SPATIAL COMPUTATION

为了解决当前非结构化非线性介质中非经典计算研究的固有局限性，发展非晶态计算的形式主义，并使受自然启发的计算设备具有可伸缩性和可编程性，我们致力于开发和推进称为BLOB计算的新范式。BLOB是一种通用原语，用于将统一计算介质构建为更易于编程的并行虚拟机：自动机的自我开发和自我映射网络。BLOB机器模拟细胞生物发育。气泡就像包含在膜中的无定形介质。斑点可以分割并产生能够以并行方式执行计算的斑点网络。BLOB被设计为尽可能简单的计算构建块，因此它们可以在任意统一的计算介质上运行。BLOB指令包括：分割、封装、删除。BLOB定义了一个自治区域，将计算介质结构化为更高级别，更易于对虚拟机进行编程。虽然已经深入研究了对该虚拟BLOB机器进行编程的问题，但仅部分地执行了在计算介质上的该虚拟机的实现。寻求资金来研究和实现斑点表示并开发六角形网格上的斑点指令的最小集合。该项目将解决膜线对象离散化这一具有理论挑战性的问题(我们将利用数学物理和数值分析的结果)。该项目还提出了一个精确的实验框架：定义良好的BLOB计算机的形式规范，以便使用这些膜作为构建块的并行算法在时间和空间上表现出具有竞争力的性能。该项目的成果可以应用于未来无体系结构的高性能计算机的设计和制造。我们要求提供资金(工资和差旅费用)，以便将Frederic Gruau教授带到英国，为期七个月，参与设计BLOB计算机真实模型的合作活动。他是他所选择的领域的先驱，也是为数不多的国际知名研究人员之一。因此，Gruau教授和Adamatzky教授之间的合作提供了一个独特的研究机会，可以将这些研究领域结合起来，并为未来的合作奠定基础。

To address inherent limitations in current research in non-classical computing in unstructured non-linear media, to develop formalism of amorphous computing and to make nature-inspired computing devices scaleable and programmable we aim to develop and advance novel paradigm, called blob computing. A blob is a generic primitive used to structure a uniform computing medium into an easier-to-program parallel virtual machine: a self-developing and self-mapping network of automata. Blob machines mimic cellular biological development. Blobs acts like amorphous media contained in membranes. A blob can divide and produce a network of blobs able to perform computation in a parallel way. Blobs are designed to be as simple computational building blocks as possible, so they can run on an arbitrary uniform computing medium. Blob instructions include: division, encapsulation and deletion. Blobs define an autonomous region, structuring the computing medium into a higher level, easier to program virtual machine. While the problem of programming this virtual blob machine has been studied in depth, the implementation of the virtual machine on a computing medium has only been partially performed. Funding is sought to study and implement the blob representation and develop minimal set of the blob instructions on a hexagonal lattice. The project will address a theoretical challenging problem of discretization of a membrane-line object (we will exploit findings from mathematical physics and numerical analysis). The project also poses a precise experimental framework: well defined formal specification of blob computers, so that parallel algorithms using these membranes as building blocks exhibit competitive performance in time and space. Results of the project can be deployed in design and manufacturing of future architecture-less high-performance computers. We are asking for funds (salary and travel expenses) to bring Prof. Frederic Gruau to UK for seven months to engage in collaborative activities in designing real-world models of blob computers. He is a pioneer in his chosen field and one of a few internationally renowned researchers. For this reason the collaboration between Profs Gruau and Adamatzky presents a unique research opportunity to combine these research areas and lay foundations for future collaboration.