How Ants Find Food (2003)

matsemann · on Jan 9, 2016

Similar idea is used for optimization algorithms, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant_colony_optimization_algori...

IndianAstronaut · on Jan 9, 2016

These are a part of a huge category of algorithms called metaheuristic algorithms. Really interesting area of research.

ycmbntrthrwaway · on Jan 9, 2016

MUTE is currently dead, but its ideas are used in FreeNet [1]. For example, TTL mechanism in FreeNet is based on MUTE ideas [2]. Too bad FreeNet lacks up-to-date technical documentation and papers describe older versions of protocol.

[1] https://freenetproject.org/

[2] http://mute-net.sourceforge.net/utilityCounters.shtml

kang · on Jan 9, 2016

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quorum_sensing#Social_insects

S_A_P · on Jan 9, 2016

I have a sugar ant problem in my house and this had me thinking of how they find the food so quickly. I knew it came down to pheromones but this explanation really clarified it for me.