In the recent years, slime mould (Physarum polycephalum) has become an extensive study tool to improve networks in the cities of Japan, Canada and even China. The methodology is almost primitive as there is no intervention of any digital technology to generate the prototypes. In her years of research and experiments, Heather Barnett deduced that slime mould has the ability to make decisions and learn and it behaves as though it has a memory. These characteristics add to the benefit of its rapid growth and cheap technology.
Sarah Roberts whose interest revolves around the potential aesthetics of slime mould’s (as well as other bacterias) biology has produced a collection of artworks to exhibit her wonder.. “All the different patterns it is creating here are responses to changes in humidity, available nutrition, light, the textitily of the substrate and other things I don’t know about, all at the same time.”
Many innovations have taken precedents from nature where terms such as biomimicry or biomimetics emerged, dating back as far as the 15th century. The idea is no stranger to us today. Nature continues to thrive as one of the most intriguing, inspiring and profound reference for organic, relevant and efficient models for everyday living.
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