I've observed a naturally-occurring (probably inexact) 'binary counter' using water droplets. When filling the pond with a hosepipe spray, the water condenses on the top of a blade of grass and rolls down it in the form of periodic droplets. If there are no further droplets on the blade of grass, it rolls cleanly off; otherwise, the droplets coalesce and can propagate further along the blade of grass. A simple model of this behaviour emulates binary counting. Sincerely, Adam P. Goucher http://cp4space.wordpress.com/ ----- Original Message ----- From: <rcs@xmission.com> To: <math-fun@mailman.xmission.com> Cc: <rcs@xmission.com> Sent: Saturday, September 08, 2012 3:54 AM Subject: [math-fun] Computing with water droplets

This might make a nice fountain. --Rich

--- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120907082027.htm

Towards Computing With Water Droplets: Superhydrophobic Droplet Logic ScienceDaily (Sep. 7, 2012) ? Researchers in Aalto University have developed a new concept for computing, using water droplets as bits of digital information. This was enabled by the discovery that upon collision with each other on a highly water-repellent surface, two water droplets rebound like billiard balls.

http://www.geekosystem.com/water-drop-computing/ [an ad-heavy page, but includes a decent video of a 1-bit counter]

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