A analysis workforce led by the College of Engineering of the Hong Kong College of Science and Expertise (HKUST) has developed a liquid metal-based digital logic system that mimics the clever prey-capture mechanism of Venus flytraps. Exhibiting reminiscence and counting properties, the system can intelligently reply to numerous stimulus sequences with out the necessity for extra digital parts. The clever methods and logic mechanisms within the system present a contemporary perspective on understanding “intelligence” in nature and supply inspiration for the event of “embodied intelligence.”
The distinctive prey-capture mechanism of Venus flytraps has at all times been an intriguing analysis focus within the realm of organic intelligence. This mechanism permits them to successfully distinguish between numerous exterior stimuli resembling single and double touches, thereby distinguishing between environmental disturbances resembling raindrops (single contact) and bugs (double touches), guaranteeing profitable prey seize. This performance is primarily attributed to the sensory hairs on the carnivorous crops, which exhibit options akin to reminiscence and counting, enabling them to understand stimuli, generate motion potentials (a change {of electrical} indicators in cells in response to stimulus), and bear in mind the stimuli for a brief period.
Impressed by the inner electrical sign accumulation/decay mannequin of Venus flytraps, Prof. SHEN Yajing, Affiliate Professor of the Division of Digital and Laptop Engineering (ECE) at HKUST, who led the analysis, joined fingers together with his former PhD pupil at Metropolis College of Hong Kong, Dr. YANG Yuanyuan, now Affiliate Professor at Xiamen College, proposed a liquid metal-based logic module (LLM) based mostly on the extension/contraction deformation of liquid metallic wires. The system employs liquid metallic wires in sodium hydroxide resolution because the conductive medium, controlling the size of the liquid metallic wires based mostly on electrochemical results, thereby regulating cathode output in accordance with the stimuli utilized to the anode and gate. Analysis outcomes exhibit that the LLM itself can memorize the period and interval {of electrical} stimuli, calculate the buildup of indicators from a number of stimuli, and exhibit important logical features much like these of Venus flytraps.
To exhibit, Prof. Shen and Dr. Yang constructed a man-made Venus flytrap system comprising the LLM clever decision-making system, switch-based sensory hair, and delicate electrical actuator-based petal, replicating the predation means of Venus flytraps. Moreover, they showcased the potential purposes of LLM in purposeful circuit integration, filtering, synthetic neural networks, and extra. Their work not solely offers insights into simulating clever behaviors in crops, but in addition serves as a dependable reference for the event of subsequent organic sign simulator gadgets and biologically impressed clever programs.
“When folks point out ‘synthetic intelligence’, they often consider intelligence that mimics animal nervous programs. Nevertheless, in nature, many crops may also exhibit intelligence by way of particular materials and structural mixtures. Analysis on this course offers a brand new perspective and method for us to know ‘intelligence’ in nature and assemble ‘life-like intelligence’,” stated Prof. Shen.
“A number of years in the past, when Dr. Yang was nonetheless pursuing her PhD in my analysis group, we mentioned the concept of establishing clever entities impressed by crops collectively. It’s gratifying that after a number of years of effort, we have now achieved the conceptual verification and simulation of Venus flytrap intelligence. Nevertheless, it’s price noting that this work continues to be comparatively preliminary, and there may be a lot work to be finished sooner or later, resembling designing extra environment friendly buildings, decreasing the scale of gadgets, and bettering system responsiveness,” added Prof. Shen.
