Life revolves around real-world information processing, and the gap between computers and living systems while formidable is shrinking. Distributed intelligent technical systems with self-organizing and evolvable life-like properties are required both to make the next generation of self-repairing computer and robotics technology and to direct all kinds of complex production and remediation on the nanoscale.
As part of the complex systems FET initiative, PACE is researching novel IT (Information Technology) making strong use of life-like properties such as
• robustness, homeostasis and self-repair
• self-assembly, modularity and self-organization
• self-reproduction, genetic programmabilty and evolvabilty
• complex systems design and bootstrapping complexity
PACE is exploring artificial cells as
• a novel basis for embedded IT
• prototypical complex systems
• main step towards evolvable nanosystems
• milestone in programmable chemistry
• optimization target for hybrid "immersed" IT
PACE has established a new hybrid IT technology for programming complex chemical systems: by
• novel synthetic replicable components
• self-assembly of replicable components
• making use of integrated simulation
• microfluidic coupling to digital electronics
• very high density electric field microcontrol
• complementation of desired functionality
• evolutionary programming of protocols
This report covers the experiences and results from PACE (2004-2008).