Modified movement force vector in an electromagnetism-like mechanism for global optimization

This paper presents an algorithm for solving global optimization problems with bounded variables. The algorithm is a modification of the electromagnetism-like mechanism proposed by Birbil and Fang [J. of Global Optimization 25 (2003), pp. 263-282]. The differences are mainly on the local search procedure and on the force vector used to move each point in the population. Several widely used benchmark problems were solved in a performance evaluation of the new algorithm when compared with the original one. A comparison with other stochastic methods is also included. The algorithm seems appropriate for large dimension problems.