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BioComputer Music: generating musical responses with Physarum polycephalum-based memristors

  • University of Plymouth

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper introduces BioComputer Music, an experimental one piano duet between pianist and plasmodial slime mould Physarum polycephalum. This piece harnesses a system we have been developing, which we call BioComputer. BioComputer consists of an analogue circuit that encompasses components grown from the biological computing substrate Physarum polycephalum. Our system listens to the pianist and uses the memristive characteristics of Physarum polycephalum to generate a musical response that it plays through electromagnets placed on the strings of the piano. Such electromagnets set the strings into vibration, producing a distinctive timbre. Physarum polycephalum is an amorphous unicellular organism that has been discovered to exhibit memristive qualities. The memristor changes its resistance according to the amount of charge that has previously flown through. In this paper, we introduce the general concepts, technology and musical composition behind the Bio- Computer Music piece. We also discuss our rationale for using Physarum polycephalum.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMusic, Mind, and Embodiment - 11th International Symposium, CMMR 2015, Revised Selected Papers
EditorsRichard Kronland-Martinet, Mitsuko Aramaki, Sølvi Ystad
PublisherSpringer
Pages405-419
Number of pages15
ISBN (Print)9783319462813
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Sept 2016
Event11th International Symposium on Computer Music Multidisciplinary Research, CMMR 2015 - Plymouth, United Kingdom
Duration: 16 Jun 201519 Jun 2015

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume9617 LNCS
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Conference

Conference11th International Symposium on Computer Music Multidisciplinary Research, CMMR 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityPlymouth
Period16/06/1519/06/15

Keywords

  • Biological computing
  • Biological engineering
  • Biomusic
  • Computer music
  • Memristors
  • Physarum polycephalum
  • Unconventional computing for music

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Theoretical Computer Science
  • General Computer Science

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