An Active Search Method for Finding Objects with Near-Optimal Property Values within a Given Set

This paper proposes an active search method aimed at finding objects with optimal or near-optimal y-property values, on the basis of x-variables obtained by indirect, less costly methods. The proposed method progresses in a sequential manner, starting from a small subset of objects with known y-values. At each iteration, the K-nearest neighbour regression technique is employed to obtain estimates ŷ for the objects with unknown y-values. The object with best ŷ value is then subjected to a direct analysis procedure for evaluation of the y-property. Examples are presented with simulated data, a...