Artificial Life Optimization Algorithm and Applications

This chapter describes a hybrid artificial life optimization algorithm (ALRT) based on emergent colonization to compute the solutions of global function optimization problem. In the ALRT, the emergent colony is a fundamental mechanism to search the optimum solution and can be accomplished through the metabolism, movement and reproduction among artificial organisms which appear at the optimum locations in the artificial world. In this case, the optimum locations mean the optimum solutions in the optimization problem. Hence, the ALRT focuses on the searching for the optimum solution in the location of emergent colonies and can achieve more accurate global optimum. The optimization results using different types of test functions are presented to demonstrate the described approach successfully achieves optimum performance. The algorithm is also applied to the test function optimization and optimum design of short journal bearing as a practical application. The optimized results are compared with those of genetic algorithm and successive quadratic programming to identify the optimizing ability.