ArtiFishial Life

Neural Networks Project

by Jude Battista and Kendra Knudtzon

 Introduction

Proposal
Problem Statement
Approach
Results
References
Code Directory 
Class Presentations

        When confronted by an insurmountable or overwhelming mass of raw data, it is often useful to be able to model it as a simpler scenario. The evolution of more powerful computational tools allows similar advancements in modeling. With today's technology at their disposal, biologists and computer scientists are joining forces to tackle one of Earth's most beguiling problems: Life. Utilizing algorithms which are capable of self-adaptation, researchers have begun to be able to simulate synthetically, rather than analytically, the creation and behavior of organisms. Of particular interest to us is the idea of emergence, wherein a system organisms consists of individuals, each independently governed by simple rules. The system, while having no leader or overall guidance structure, often displays remarkably coherent behavior. Our goal is to create an instructive, interactive application which demonstrates such a system.