Universal Shape Replicators via Self-Assembly with Attractive and Repulsive Forces

DOI10.1137/1.9781611974782.15zbMATH Open1410.68122arXiv1608.00477OpenAlexW2952021439MaRDI QIDQ4575751FDOQ4575751

Tim Wylie, Eric Martinez, Luis Vega, Erik D. Demaine, Robert T. Schweller, Cameron T. Chalk, Martin L. Demaine

Publication date: 16 July 2018

Published in: Proceedings of the Twenty-Eighth Annual ACM-SIAM Symposium on Discrete Algorithms (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: We show how to design a universal shape replicator in a self-assembly system with both attractive and repulsive forces. More precisely, we show that there is a universal set of constant-size objects that, when added to any unknown hole-free polyomino shape, produces an unbounded number of copies of that shape (plus constant-size garbage objects). The constant-size objects can be easily constructed from a constant number of individual tile types using a constant number of preprocessing self-assembly steps. Our construction uses the well-studied 2-Handed Assembly Model (2HAM) of tile self-assembly, in the simple model where glues interact only with identical glues, allowing glue strengths that are either positive (attractive) or negative (repulsive), and constant temperature (required glue strength for parts to hold together). We also require that the given shape has specified glue types on its surface, and that the feature size (smallest distance between nonincident edges) is bounded below by a constant. Shape replication necessarily requires a self-assembly model where parts can both attach and detach, and this construction is the first to do so using the natural model of negative/repulsive glues (also studied before for other problems such as fuel-efficient computation); previous replication constructions require more powerful global operations such as an "enzyme" that destroys a subset of the tile types.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1608.00477

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Cited In (6)

• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Terminating distributed construction of shapes and patterns in a fair solution of automata
• Covert computation in self-assembled circuits
• Self-assembly of 4-sided fractals in the two-handed tile assembly model
• Self-assembly of shapes at constant scale using repulsive forces
• Title not available (Why is that?)

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