Hydrogels have shown the ability to learn and enhance their performance in the game Pong, thanks to their unique physical properties. These materials accumulate a “memory” of their past movements by shifting ions within their structure, which then influences their future actions. Scientists connected the hydrogels to a virtual gaming environment, using electrical signals to relay information about the ball’s position. The movement of ions within the hydrogel was directly responsible for controlling the “racket” movement. With continued play, the hydrogel’s accuracy improved to 10%, demonstrating that non-living materials can adapt and retain information. This discovery suggests the potential for a new form of “intelligence” that could inspire simplified AI algorithms. Interestingly, brain cells can already play Pong when electrically stimulated to receive feedback on their performance. This led scientists to explore whether non-living materials, like hydrogels, could mimic brain-like functions. It turns out both brain cells and hydrogels rely on a similar mechanism: the movement and distribution of ions enable them to “remember” and respond to environmental changes. The key difference is that in brain cells, ions move internally, while in hydrogels, they move externally. Hydrogels are complex polymers that become jelly-like when they interact with water. Common natural examples include gelatin and agar. For this study, scientists used an electroactive polymer—a hydrogel that changes shape when exposed to an electric current. This shape-shifting is possible because of the ions in the surrounding environment, which, when an electrical signal is applied, move and pull water molecules along, causing temporary deformation of the hydrogel. The hydrogel contracts more slowly than it swells, meaning each ion movement is influenced by previous movements, resembling a memory process. These ions continue to move within the hydrogel based on prior rearrangements, starting from the material’s initial creation when the ions were evenly distributed. To test the hydrogel’s ability to use its physical “memory” for actions, researchers connected it to a virtual Pong game via electrodes. They established a feedback loop between the hydrogel racket and the ball’s position. The movement of ions within the hydrogel indicated the racket’s position, and electrical signals communicated the ball’s location to the hydrogel. The experiment began with the ball moving randomly. During gameplay, researchers tracked the hydrogel’s success in hitting the ball and analyzed its performance dynamics. Over time, the hydrogel improved, hitting the ball more frequently. While neurons mastered the game in about 10 minutes, the hydrogel took roughly 20 minutes to reach the same skill level. As the ball moved, the gel stored information about its trajectory and used this data to position its racket for optimal hits. The movement of ions created a “memory” of past actions, ultimately enhancing the system’s effectiveness. Most current AI algorithms are based on neural networks, but researchers suggest that hydrogels could represent an alternative form of “intelligence,” offering new, simpler algorithms. Future studies will delve deeper into the hydrogel’s memory mechanisms and assess its potential to perform other tasks. The research has been published in Cell Reports Physical Science. The post “Blob” of Hydrogel Learns to Play Pong Like a Living Thing appeared first on Anomalien.com.