COSC 494/594

Unconventional Computation

Topics for Presentations and Term Papers

Graduate Students:

Please pick one of the following topics for a 20–25 min. in-class presentation and a term paper on the same topic. One person per topic: first come, first served. Email me with your top three choices. If two of you want to team up on a 50 min. presentation, I will consider that.
  1. Quantum cellular automata
  2. The D-Wave computer
  3. Adiabatic quantum computing
  4. Topological quantum computing [Allison]
  5. Reversible electronics
  6. Cellular neural networks
  7. Membrane systems (Paun or P systems) [James]
  8. Physarum (slimemold) machines
  9. Reaction-diffusion computing
  10. Chemical computers (Dietrich's work)
  11. Spatial computing 
  12. Relativistic computing (SAD machines)
  13. Oracle Turing machines
  14. Reservoir computing (liquid state machines)
In addition, you can propose a different topic on unconventional computation for your paper; contact me for approval.

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students will be expected to do a term paper, which can be on any of the topics listed for graduate students, or in addition on the following topics:
  1. Amorphous computing
  2. Blob machines
  3. Carbon nanotube computing
  4. Analog electronics
  5. Cellular and bacterial computing
The following are rather theoretical topics:
  1. Abstract geometrical computation
  2. Arithmetical hierarchy
  3. Infinite-time Turing machines
  4. BSS (Blum-Shub-Smale) machines
Even if a graduate student has picked a topic for presentation, you are welcome to pick it too. In addition, you can propose a different topic on unconventional computation for your paper; contact me for approval. See also the list of topics on the course homepage.

General Information

To get a general idea what each of these topics is about, google them. I might also add some informative links to this page. Beyond that you will have to find papers or books on the topic.

Your term paper should be 10–15 pages in length. It should include (1) brief history of the idea; (2) how it works, advantages, and disadvantages; (3) state of the art; and (4) future prospects. However, you don't have to organize you paper in exactly that way. Make sure you have complete citations. Email me if you have any questions.

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Last updated:  2014-10-20.