Engineering emergence

Abstract

We explore various definitions and characteristics of emergence, how we might recognise and measure emergence, and how we might engineer emergent systems. We discuss the TUNA ("Theory Underpinning Nanotech Assemblers") project, which is investigating emergent engineering in the context of molecular nanotechnology, and use the TUNA case study to explore an architecture suitable for emergent complex systems.

Thermodynamics of emergence: Langton's ant meets Boltzmann

“…The question whether a system's macroscopic state is really new or whether it is defined on the micro-level already before the instantiation stays unanswered. As discussed by Stepney et al [11]: How could anything new actually emerge from something that is already existent? However, Bickhard and Campbell [12] argue that this question is ill-posed.…”

The future of complexity engineering

“…In line with the paradigm of complexity engineering, Systems Aikido [5] is a suggestion to use a system's intrinsic dynamic behaviour in pursuit of the researcher's goal. Also [6] argued in favour of engineering systems with emergence, and illustrated this with so-called nanites, which are nanoscale robots that build micro-scale artefacts, based on local rules. No matter how large or small the system, the underlying idea is mainly to use the mechanisms of Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) in favour of the engineer's objective [7,8].…”

“…6 Chemical compositions have been found that exhibit life-like characteristics including "cells" (or rather, blobs or bubbles) separating, merging, interacting, pulsating and moving through chemotaxis. A potential application for protocells is the "Future Venice" project 7 : the idea is that protocells use substances available in the water or air to self-assemble and build "living" structures that dynamically reinforce the existing old ones, such as walls and piles.…”

“…• MATCH-IT 6 -MATrix for CHemical IT -investigating programmable chemical systems. An addressable chemical container (chemtainer) production system is added and interfaced with electronic computers via MEMS technology with regulatory feedback loops.…”

Neutral Emergence and Coarse Graining

“…In [16] we provide a review of opinion on emergence. We start from Ronald et al's definition of emergence: "The language of design L 1 and the language of observation L 2 are distinct, and the causal link between the elementary interactions programmed in L 1 and the behaviors observed in L 2 is non-obvious to the observer-who therefore experiences surprise."…”