title: Optimal combinations of imperfect objects.
abstract: We consider how to make best use of imperfect objects, such as defective analog and digital components. We show that perfect, or near-perfect, devices can be constructed by taking combinations of such defects. Any remaining objects can be recycled efficiently. In addition to its practical applications, our "defect combination problem" provides a novel generalization of classical optimization problems.
authors.affiliation: Theoretical Physics, Oxford University, Oxford OX1 3NP, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Damien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Challet
authors.forename: Neil F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Johnson