After 15 minutes this behaviour will change and switch to a seemingly more random pattern of lights. In Phase 2 each LED is controlled by a PC, or via boards fixed to each buoy. The PC will send signals to the net of lights causing them to behave according to a cellular automata computer program. Cellular automata are simplified mathematical models of spatial interactions, in which sites or cells on a landscape are assigned a particular state, which then changes stepwise according to specific rules conditioned on the states of neighbouring cells. The CA is derived from our esearch in stem cell behaviour and simulates a cell system.

In Net Work each float with its embedded LEDs is treated as a cell and together they form a 2D landscape. When the program runs the cells have one of eight possible states, each illustrated by the LED being a specific colour. The cells change behaviour and colour, switching between the eight colours, depending on the state of their neighbouring cells.

More information on Net Work and the team that is developing it can be found at www.interdisciplinary.co.uk