Permeability of terrain in particle-based models of Physarum Polycephalum

Abstract

The slime mould Physarum Polycephalum exhibits foraging behaviour to optimize its nutrient intake while preserving a minimal internal nutrient transport network. Models of Physarum Polycephalum have been constructed because it displays interesting situational behaviour which can be used to tackle various problems. We present an implementation of a particle-based model of the behaviour of Physarum concerning the problem of network optimization. We show that terrain can be implemented in a particle-based model and describe the properties such a notion of terrain should possess. In addition, we provide a useful application for the implementation of this terrain. We present networks created by virtual Physarum in a simulated environment corresponding to a real world environment and show that some networks approximate actual transport networks of this environment. The results of the experiments performed may provide insight in the effects and usage of an abstract notion of terrain in particle-based models of Physarum Polycephalum.