Scientific modeling with cellular automata

Cellular automata provide a simple environment in which to discretize time and space in order to investigate natural phenomena. In a two-dimensional scenario for example, the action usually takes place in a rectangular array of cells (although other cell shapes can be used) and each cell exists in one of several 'states'. In discrete time-steps all cells change their state in unison according to a locally prescribed rule that takes into account the state of each cell's neighbors at the previous time-step. This elementary but powerful framework has been highly successful in modeling various scientific phenomena from a broad spectrum of disciplines, some of which are reviewed in this article. Both qualitative and quantitative data can be obtain by the cellular automata approach. (C) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.