News: Computer Program Self-Discovers Laws of Physics
This may sound rather mundane:
In just over a day, a powerful computer program accomplished a feat that took physicists centuries to complete: extrapolating the laws of motion from a pendulum’s swings.
via Wired.com – Computer Program Self-Discovers Laws of Physics
But that’s the type of news that REALLY makes me wish I’d continued my physics education. Words can’t express how excited I am to see computers finding this role in the scientific toolbox.
[update 20090409]
I was tickled when reading through the April issue of Science to come across the papers the wired article was based on:
“Distilling Free-Form Natural Laws from Experimental Data.” By Michael Schmidt and Hod Lipson. Science, Vol. 324, April 3, 2009.
“Automating Science.” By David Waltz and Bruce Buchanan. Science, Vol. 324, April 3, 2009.
The best part about this is that it’s my fiancee’s subscription to Science. It’s the little things that make me love my life.
