Heterogeneous,“aggregated” patterns in the spatial distributions of individuals are almost
universal across living organisms, from bacteria to higher vertebrates. Whereas specific …

Complex systems are characterized by many independent components whose low-level
actions produce collective high-level results. Predicting high-level results given low-level …

Social insects--ants, bees, termites, and wasps--can be viewed as powerful problem-solving
systems with sophisticated collective intelligence. Composed of simple interacting agents …

The ocean depth at which the rate of calcium carbonate input from surface waters equals the
rate of dissolution is termed the calcite compensation depth. At present, this depth is∼ 4,500 …

Natural computing brings together nature and computing to develop new computational
tools for problem solving; to synthesize natural patterns and behaviors in computers; and to …

We present a set of experiments in which simulated robots are evolved for the ability to
aggregate and move together toward a light target. By developing and using quantitative …

Ad-hoc wireless sensor networks have been an active research topic for the last several
years. Sensor networks are distinguished from traditional networks by characteristics such …

Nests built by eusocial insect species are often complex structures consisting of multiple
effectively integrated and functionally distinct substructures. Stigmergy, self-assembly and …

Most pelagic fish live in schools. To allow fast reactions, for instance to predator attacks,
these collective structures require behavioural mechanisms authorizing fast, coordinated …

Fish schools and other animal aggregations are often highly coupled to “emergent
properties” such as polarity, edges, and distinct shape. However, the relationship between …