On the topological convergence of multi-rule sequences of sets and fractal patterns

• Published in: Soft computing (Berlin, Germany) Germany), 2020-12, Vol.24 (23), p.17737-17749
• Main Authors: Caldarola, Fabio, Maiolo, Mario
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Artificial Intelligence; Blinking; Computational Intelligence; Control; Engineering; Focus; Fractal geometry; Fractals; Mathematical Logic and Foundations; Mechatronics; Numbers; Robotics; Sequences; Water demand
• ISSN: 1432-7643; 1433-7479
• DOI: 10.1007/s00500-020-05358-w

In many cases occurring in the real world and studied in science and engineering, non-homogeneous fractal forms often emerge with striking characteristics of cyclicity or periodicity. The authors, for example, have repeatedly traced these characteristics in hydrological basins, hydraulic networks, water demand, and various datasets. But, unfortunately, today we do not yet have well-developed and at the same time simple-to-use mathematical models that allow, above all scientists and engineers, to interpret these phenomena. An interesting idea was firstly proposed by Sergeyev in 2007 under the name of “blinking fractals.” In this paper we investigate from a pure geometric point of view the fractal properties, with their computational aspects, of two main examples generated by a system of multiple rules and which are enlightening for the theme. Strengthened by them, we then propose an address for an easy formalization of the concept of blinking fractal and we discuss some possible applications and future work.