News | Friday, 17th October 2014

'Unconventional Computing' conference

Leading scientists set for Manchester Met meeting

THE UNIVERSITY has been selected to host a major international meeting in the growing field of unconventional computing.

More than 100 of the world’s leading scientists in unconventional computing will converge on Manchester Metropolitan University in spring 2016.

The conference, Unconventional Computation and Natural Computation (UCNC), is one of the main meetings in ‘non-standard computing’, a research area which looks beyond traditional boundaries of computers in terms of how they are built and operate.

Professor Martyn Amos, from the Department of Computing and Mathematics, is a specialist in unconventional computing and will chair the conference.

Global

“The award of UCNC to Manchester Metropolitan University is recognition of the world-leading research we’re doing here in unconventional computing,” he said.

“Our EU-funded TRUCE project is helping to build a strong European community in this area, and we’re delighted that researchers from across the globe will be discussing the future of computing in a city with such a rich history of contributions to the field.

“On a personal level, I was honoured to be an invited speaker at the first ever meeting in the series, so I’m delighted to be asked to organise it here in Manchester.”

The annual conference was founded in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1998, and has also been previously hosted by top global cities and universities.

Bright future

Unconventional computation explores new ways of computing beyond traditional models, as well as quantum and brain-inspired computing. They may use other elements such as DNA or living cells, and mimic living systems by supporting information processing and material production.

It could eventually help solve problems, design networks, industrial fabrication, make medicines and construct buildings.