Arctic Puffin Optimization Algorithm Integrating Opposition-Based Learning and Differential Evolution with Engineering Applications

The Arctic Puffin Optimization (APO) algorithm, proposed in 2024, is a swarm intelligence optimization. Similar to other swarm intelligence optimization algorithms, it suffers from issues such as slow convergence in the early stage, being easy to fall into local optima, and insufficient balance between exploration and exploitation. To address these limitations, an improved APO (IAPO) algorithm incorporating multiple strategies is proposed. Firstly, a mirror opposition-based learning mechanism is introduced to expand the search scope, improving the efficiency of searching for the optimal solution, which enhances the algorithm's convergence accuracy and optimization speed. Secondly, a dynamic differential evolution strategy with adaptive parameters is integrated to improve the algorithm's ability to escape local optima and achieve precise optimization. Comparative experimental results between IAPO and eight other optimization algorithms on 20 benchmark functions, as well as CEC2019 and CEC2022 test functions, show that IAPO achieves higher accuracy, faster convergence, and superior robustness, securing first-place average rankings of 1.35, 1.30, 1.25, and 1.08 on the 20 benchmark functions, CEC 2019, 10- and 20-dimensional CEC 2022 test sets, respectively. Finally, simulation experiments were conducted on three engineering optimization design problems. IAPO achieved optimal values of 5.2559 × 10^-1, 1.09 × 10³, and 1.49 × 10⁴ for these engineering problems, ranking first in all cases. This further validates the effectiveness and practicality of the IAPO algorithm.