Watch a virtual Physarum polycephalum explore, find food, and build its network in this interactive growth simulator.
This simulator is a simplified model of the Physarum Solver algorithm. Real slime mold works through cytoplasmic oscillations and conductance feedback: tubes that carry more cytoplasm grow wider, which in turn carries even more cytoplasm, creating a positive reinforcement loop toward food sources.
The algorithm here reproduces this core principle: random exploration, reinforcement of productive paths, retraction of unproductive ones. The visual result is close to what researchers observe in laboratory conditions.