A Fuzzy Clustering Algorithm Based on the Analogy with Mechanical Physics: MeccFuz

Authors: Erminio D.; Guerrisi F.

Source: Quality and Quantity, Volume 36, Number 3, August 2002 , pp. 239-257(19)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

This paper presents a new algorithm of fuzzy clustering, based on analogy with mechanics physics. The vectors x_i are compared with `material points' and the clusters can be looked on as material points clouds, that are characterized by specific units. The choice is based on a study of potential energy. Once a specific unit is chosen, we calculated the membership of the other units whit respect it.

A study of a sociology test is performed and the results are very encouraging, though an further deepening is needed like a thermodynamics analogy application.

Keywords: fuzzy clustering; cluster analysis; fuzzy logic; social research; membership ranks; gerarchical agglomerative techniques; graphs theory; human sciences

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Genoa University, Italy

Publication date: 2002-08-01