A novel arctic fox survival strategy inspired optimization algorithm

Abstract

In the field of optimization algorithms, nature-inspired techniques have garnered attention for their adaptability and problem-solving prowess. This research introduces the Arctic Fox Algorithm (AFA), an innovative optimization technique inspired by the adaptive survival strategies of the Arctic fox, designed to excel in dynamic and complex optimization landscapes. Incorporating gradient flow dynamics, stochastic differential equations, and probability distributions, AFA is equipped to adjust its search strategies dynamically, enhancing both exploration and exploitation capabilities. Through rigorous evaluation on a set of 25 benchmark functions, AFA consistently outperformed established algorithms particularly in scenarios involving high-dimensional and multi-modal problems, demonstrating faster convergence and improved solution quality. Application of AFA to real-world problems, including wind farm layout optimization and financial portfolio optimization, highlighted its ability to increase energy outputs by up to 15% and improve portfolio Sharpe ratios by 20% compared to conventional methods. These results showcase AFA’s potential as a robust tool for complex optimization tasks, paving the way for future research focused on refining its adaptive mechanisms and exploring broader applications.