Biocomputer music: Generating musical responses with Physarum polycephalum-based memristors

Abstract

This paper introduces BioComputer Music, an experimental one piano duet between pianist and plasmodial slime mould Physarum polycephalum. This piece harnesses a system we have been developing, which we call BioComputer. BioComputer consists of an analogue circuit that encompasses components grown from the biological computing substrate Physarum polycephalum. Our system listens to the pianist and uses the memristive characteristics of Physarum polycephalum to generate a musical response that it plays through electromagnets placed on the strings of the piano. Such electromagnets set the strings into vibration, producing a distinctive timbre. Physarum polycephalum is an amorphous unicellular organism that has been discovered to exhibit memristive qualities. The memristor changes its resistance according to the amount of charge that has previously flown through. In this paper, we introduce the general concepts, technology and musical composition behind the Bio- Computer Music piece. We also discuss our rationale for using Physarum polycephalum.