An Explanation of Computation - Collective Electrodynamics in Blobs of Carbon Nanotubes

In this short paper an attempt is made to explain computations in nanomaterials under the Evolution-In-Materio scenario. Computations performed by the material are considered within the framework of system theory as introduced in classical cybernetics. Three conceptual domains of computations are identified which are related to different hierarchical levels. Further, a deeper look is taken into the physics of one material in particular since it is extensively used in our experiments. It is revealed that the physics of the investigated nanocomposites, which is the basis for computations, can be explained as a collective property of the wave functions which describe electrons moving within the material. The explanation of computations given in this paper is found valuable for identifying further research directions. The first direction is towards how to manipulate nanomaterials for achieving computations at measurable levels. Manipulation at quantum level is suggested as a possible domain of material manipulation. Secondly, another research direction is identified towards using parameters, environmental parameters for example, for computing.