Andrew Adamatzky and Jeff Jones of the University of the West of England decided to use nature in a very unconventional way: drafting the ideal traffic map using slime mold!
Ten of the UK’s most populated areas were then used as connecting points, and later, a US map.
Andrew Adamatzky is a researcher in unconventional computing who compiles devices using unusual substrates, such as chemical reactions, slime mold, mushrooms, plants, and droplets.
An ideal road map for the US was then created using slime mold and of course, science.
The experiments all stemmed from an idea nearly thirteen years ago:
“One day, back in 2006, I looked at the pattern of slime mold network developed on a wet paper towel and I thought that this reminds me of a road pattern,” explained Prof. Adamatzky. “This is when I started the experiments.”
The natural way that slime mold not only looks for food and manages it consumption was key for drafting a traffic map.
Who knew that slime and science could build the future?