Turing Equation Explains how Leopard Spots Develop 109
BilZ0r writes "A slight modification of an equation developed by Alan Turing in 1952 has been used to show how the patterns of big cats change from kitten to adult markings. Sy-Sang Liaw of National Chung-Hsing University in Taichung, Taiwan, and colleagues set out to replicate these patterns using Turing's equations. But they found they had to do more than just tweak the parameters of the reaction-diffusion equation. Instead they had to assume two stages of spot growth with different rules: the first to get the baby cats their spots, and the second to create the final configurations. It took them a year to find a final solution."
This is really getting old (Score:4, Interesting)
But seriously, where in this silly blog posting does it ever talk about the Leopard spots? Is it just me, or is TFA missing here...
Tweaking parameters... (Score:5, Interesting)
Leopard spots, snail shells, and Leonardo of Pisa (Score:4, Interesting)
Here we witness the micro through the macro, through all scales of physical dimension, in an interplay of force, energy and motion, with the final result happening both all at once and forever spread over time. Incredible.
TLF
It's really great !! (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:The point is, you never know. (Score:3, Interesting)
it can flow like a liquid and act like a solid when pushed rapidly.
whats that good for polishing internal holes if you mix an abrasive in with it. Which might help get the best out of high performance engines.
it's an interesting material wonder how it would cope with a leak in a pressurised container could it contain or slow that leak for a period of time.
it also bounces and lifts ink off paper.