Glauber
Encyclopedia
Glauber is a scientific discovery method, written in the context of computational philosophy of science
it is related to machine learning
in artificial intelligence
.
Glauber was written by Pat Langley, Herbert Simon
, G.Bradshaw and J.Zitkow with other programs in order to show how scientific discovery may be achieved by problem solving
methods.
Their programs simulate historical scientific discoveries based on empirical evidence
known at the time of discovery.
Glauber was named after Johann Rudolph Glauber, a 17th century alchemist whose work helped to develop acid-base theory.
Glauber rediscovers the law of acid-alkali reactions producing salts, given the qualities of substances and observed facts, the result of mixing substances.
From that knowledge Glauber discovers that substances that taste bitter reacts with substances tasting sour producing substances tasting salty.
In few words the law:
Glauber was designed by Pat Langley as part of his work on discovery heuristics in an attempt to have a computer automatically review a host of values and characteristics and make independent analyses from them. In the case of Glauber, the goal was to have an autonomous application
that could estimate or even perfectly describe the nature of a given chemical compound
by comparing it to related substances. Langley formalized and compiled Glauber in 1983.
The software was supplied information about a variety of materials as they had been described by 18th century chemists, before most of modern chemical knowledge had been uncovered or invented. Qualitative descriptions like taste
, rather than numerical data such as molecular weight, were programmed into the application. Chemical reaction
s that were known in that era and the distinction between reactants and products
were also provided. From this knowledge, Glauber was to figure out which substances were acids, bases
, and salts without any quantitative
information. The system examined chemical substances and all of their most likely reactions and correlates the expected taste and related acidity or saltiness according to the rule that acids and bases produce salts.
Glauber was a very successful advance in theoretical chemistry
as performed by computer, and it, along with similar systems developed by Herbert Simon
including Stahl
(which examines oxidation) and DALTON
(which calculates atomic weight
) helped form the groundwork of all current automated chemical analysis.
Philosophy of science
The philosophy of science is concerned with the assumptions, foundations, methods and implications of science. It is also concerned with the use and merit of science and sometimes overlaps metaphysics and epistemology by exploring whether scientific results are actually a study of truth...
it is related to machine learning
Machine learning
Machine learning, a branch of artificial intelligence, is a scientific discipline concerned with the design and development of algorithms that allow computers to evolve behaviors based on empirical data, such as from sensor data or databases...
in artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...
.
Glauber was written by Pat Langley, Herbert Simon
Herbert Simon
Herbert Alexander Simon was an American political scientist, economist, sociologist, and psychologist, and professor—most notably at Carnegie Mellon University—whose research ranged across the fields of cognitive psychology, cognitive science, computer science, public administration, economics,...
, G.Bradshaw and J.Zitkow with other programs in order to show how scientific discovery may be achieved by problem solving
Problem solving
Problem solving is a mental process and is part of the larger problem process that includes problem finding and problem shaping. Consideredthe most complex of all intellectual functions, problem solving has been defined as higher-order cognitive process that requires the modulation and control of...
methods.
Their programs simulate historical scientific discoveries based on empirical evidence
Empirical
The word empirical denotes information gained by means of observation or experimentation. Empirical data are data produced by an experiment or observation....
known at the time of discovery.
Glauber was named after Johann Rudolph Glauber, a 17th century alchemist whose work helped to develop acid-base theory.
Glauber rediscovers the law of acid-alkali reactions producing salts, given the qualities of substances and observed facts, the result of mixing substances.
From that knowledge Glauber discovers that substances that taste bitter reacts with substances tasting sour producing substances tasting salty.
In few words the law:
- Acid + Alkali --> Salt
Glauber was designed by Pat Langley as part of his work on discovery heuristics in an attempt to have a computer automatically review a host of values and characteristics and make independent analyses from them. In the case of Glauber, the goal was to have an autonomous application
Application software
Application software, also known as an application or an "app", is computer software designed to help the user to perform specific tasks. Examples include enterprise software, accounting software, office suites, graphics software and media players. Many application programs deal principally with...
that could estimate or even perfectly describe the nature of a given chemical compound
Chemical compound
A chemical compound is a pure chemical substance consisting of two or more different chemical elements that can be separated into simpler substances by chemical reactions. Chemical compounds have a unique and defined chemical structure; they consist of a fixed ratio of atoms that are held together...
by comparing it to related substances. Langley formalized and compiled Glauber in 1983.
The software was supplied information about a variety of materials as they had been described by 18th century chemists, before most of modern chemical knowledge had been uncovered or invented. Qualitative descriptions like taste
Taste
Taste is one of the traditional five senses. It refers to the ability to detect the flavor of substances such as food, certain minerals, and poisons, etc....
, rather than numerical data such as molecular weight, were programmed into the application. Chemical reaction
Chemical reaction
A chemical reaction is a process that leads to the transformation of one set of chemical substances to another. Chemical reactions can be either spontaneous, requiring no input of energy, or non-spontaneous, typically following the input of some type of energy, such as heat, light or electricity...
s that were known in that era and the distinction between reactants and products
Product (chemistry)
Product are formed during chemical reactions as reagents are consumed. Products have lower energy than the reagents and are produced during the reaction according to the second law of thermodynamics. The released energy comes from changes in chemical bonds between atoms in reagent molecules and...
were also provided. From this knowledge, Glauber was to figure out which substances were acids, bases
Base (chemistry)
For the term in genetics, see base A base in chemistry is a substance that can accept hydrogen ions or more generally, donate electron pairs. A soluble base is referred to as an alkali if it contains and releases hydroxide ions quantitatively...
, and salts without any quantitative
Quantitative property
A quantitative property is one that exists in a range of magnitudes, and can therefore be measured with a number. Measurements of any particular quantitative property are expressed as a specific quantity, referred to as a unit, multiplied by a number. Examples of physical quantities are distance,...
information. The system examined chemical substances and all of their most likely reactions and correlates the expected taste and related acidity or saltiness according to the rule that acids and bases produce salts.
Glauber was a very successful advance in theoretical chemistry
Theoretical chemistry
Theoretical chemistry seeks to provide theories that explain chemical observations. Often, it uses mathematical and computational methods that, at times, require advanced knowledge. Quantum chemistry, the application of quantum mechanics to the understanding of valency, is a major component of...
as performed by computer, and it, along with similar systems developed by Herbert Simon
Herbert Simon
Herbert Alexander Simon was an American political scientist, economist, sociologist, and psychologist, and professor—most notably at Carnegie Mellon University—whose research ranged across the fields of cognitive psychology, cognitive science, computer science, public administration, economics,...
including Stahl
Stahl
Stahl is a surname, and may refer to:* Agustín Stahl Puerto Rican physician, ethnologist, and botanist* Armin Mueller-Stahl* Ben Stahl* Ben Stahl * Chick Stahl* Christian Ernst Stahl* Daniel Stahl* Floyd Stahl...
(which examines oxidation) and DALTON
DALTON
Dalton is an ab initio quantum chemistry software program. It is capable of calculating various molecular properties using the Hartree–Fock, MP2, MCSCF and coupled cluster theories. Version 2.0 of DALTON added support for density functional theory calculations...
(which calculates atomic weight
Atomic weight
Atomic weight is a dimensionless physical quantity, the ratio of the average mass of atoms of an element to 1/12 of the mass of an atom of carbon-12...
) helped form the groundwork of all current automated chemical analysis.