Investigating self-fabrication in the context of artificial chemistries

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis gives a broad overview of what artificial chemistries (ACs) are, abrief review of several ACs and their applications, and an in depth analysisof one speci c AC: the four-bit binary string system. The model designedby Banzhaf [1] for in silico examination was recreated using the Pythonprogramming language. The initial motivation was to identify an existingAC that could be used to elucidate the sequence-function relationship,which led to the simultaneous investigation of self-organization in AC systems[7]. The interest in sequence-function relationships stems from theirimportance for self-production of objects [35]. For self-replication to bepossible in larger organizations, the components of the organization mustbe able to continuously produce themselves [3, 7]. We chose the four-bitbinary string system for investigation because of its simple design and implementation,its ability to yield complex results from interactions betweena small population of objects, and its analogy to the DNA{RNA{proteinorganisation. When a population of objects are allowed to continuously interact,self-production and self-organization occur, even in simple arti cialsystems [7, 8]. The stability of the emergent organizations depends on theinteractions of its components, which must be capable of self-production ifthey are to maintain the organization [27]. Self-production of objects dependson their sequence-function relationship, which determines their rate of replication when interacting with other objects.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University