Diffusion-Limited Aggregation Screensaver
The Diffusion-Limited Aggregation screensaver simulates real particles wandering randomly until they stick, building fractal branching structures. It is free, runs in your browser, and ESC exits.
How the Diffusion Limited Growth screensaver works
The saver releases particles that wander in a real random walk until they touch the growing structure and stick.
Over time, this builds the same real fractal branching pattern seen in frost crystals and mineral deposits.
Once the structure grows large, it fades and a fresh random-walk aggregation begins.
This is the same real diffusion-limited aggregation process studied in physics and materials science.
A worked example
A wandering particle drifts randomly across the screen before finally brushing a branch tip and sticking, extending the fractal outward by one more node.
Settings & tips
- Accent recolours the growing structure.
- Based on the real diffusion-limited aggregation process studied in physics.
- The same real math describes frost and mineral crystal growth.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this based on real physics?
- Yes — real diffusion-limited aggregation, studied in physics and materials science.
- Is a key needed?
- No — it is a pure local simulation.
- Is it free?
- Yes — free, no download, in your browser.
- Does the pattern repeat?
- No — the random walk means every growth structure is unique.