360° Science vs Physarum

Join a discovery tour with scientists from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon: Above the Baltic Sea, along the coast, in the lab or at the beamline – everyone can be present when new scientific insights arise. Coastal researchers hunt for small ocean eddies 1000 meters above the Baltic Sea. Their goal is to decipher the secrets of the Clockwork Ocean. At 650 degrees Celsius, material scientists stand at the large roller. Their desire is to process the light metal magnesium to achieve the highest possible performance in automotive engineering. With X-ray light that is up to one million times brighter than used in medical practice, scientists are investigating almost all materials down to the atomic level. They want to produce high-tech materials or to understand fundamental processes. Experience science closer than ever before. Be in a lab or go on an expedition and discover how knowledge derives from understanding. The 360° clips allow an entirely new view of the fascinating research at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht. Watch the Helmholtz scientists at work. What drives them? They do research for people and their future environment.

Explore artificial life through a living, flowing simulation inspired by Physarum polycephalum, the slime mold famous for forming networks, solving paths, and showing intelligence without a brain. Physarum turns simple local rules into complex motion. Thousands of agents sense trails, turn, move, and deposit new traces. As the field evolves, branching networks, waves, and organic textures emerge in real time. Use Physarum to: - Tune sensor distance, turn angle, movement, and trail strength - Paint into the field and guide the simulation by touch - Explore chaotic, branching, and self-organizing patterns - Save and restore interesting agents, fields, and rules - Create vivid generative visuals with color controls It is part science toy, part generative art studio, and part meditative visual instrument. Whether you study emergent systems, teach artificial life, or simply enjoy hypnotic motion, Physarum gives you a hands-on way to watch complexity grow from simple behavior.