"2888","Self-Replicating Machines in Continuous Space with Virtual Physics","JohnnyVon is an implementation of self-replicating machines in  continuous two-dimensional space. Two types of particles drift  about in a virtual liquid. The particles are automata with  discrete internal states but continuous external relationships.  Their internal states are governed by finite state machines but  their external relationships are governed by a simulated physics  that includes Brownian motion, viscosity, and spring-like attractive  and repulsive forces. The particles can be assembled into patterns  that can encode arbitrary strings of bits. We demonstrate that, if  an arbitrary \"seed\" pattern is put in a \"soup\" of separate individual  particles, the pattern will replicate by assembling the individual  particles into copies of itself. We also show that, given sufficient  time, a soup of separate individual particles will eventually  spontaneously form self-replicating patterns. We discuss the implications  of JohnnyVon for research in nanotechnology, theoretical biology, and  artificial life.","http://cogprints.org/2888/","Smith, Arnold and Turney, Peter and Ewaschuk, Robert","UNSPECIFIED","       <span class=\"person_name\">Smith, Arnold</span> and <span class=\"person_name\">Turney, Peter</span> and <span class=\"person_name\">Ewaschuk, Robert</span>     (2003)  <a href=\"http://cogprints.org/2888/\"><em>Self-Replicating Machines in Continuous Space with Virtual Physics.</em></a>       [Journal (Paginated)]           ",",2175,","2003"