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Toward Physical Universal Constructors: Materials, Processes, Modules, and System12:00 noon, October 20, Tuesday, 2009, ENGR 4201 Speaker Matt Moses Abstract More than 50 years ago the mathematician John von Neumann introduced the idea of a Universal Constructor - a machine that could build anything described to it, including copies of itself. Initially von Neumann investigated a physically realistic design, often called the "Kinematic Model", before abandoning it to focus on a more abstract formulation of the problem. Together with mathematician Stanislaw Ulam, von Neumann developed the concept of Cellular Automata (CA) as a mathematical tool for rigorous study of Universal Constructors. The CA model has seen a fair amount of success, and is currently an active area of study. Progress in Kinematic Universal Constructors has lagged behind, although the field has seen a resurgence in activity in recent years. This talk begins with a brief historical overview of Universal Constructors and Self-Replicating Machines. We then present some recent results from our lab: a network of materials and fabrication processes designed to facilitate self-replication, a set of universal electromechanical modules, and some larger scale system designs. The talk is concluded with a discussion of some open questions that may be of interest to those with a Computer Science background. Short Bio Matt Moses is currently a doctoral student in Professor Greg Chirikjian's lab at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University. Mr. Moses holds a M.S degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of New Mexico, and from 2001-2005 worked as an engineer for General Dynamics Robotic Systems in Westminster, Maryland. Mr. Moses's research interests include self-replicating and universal-constructing machines, biologically-inspired robotics, and dynamic running and locomotion in robot vehicles. |