Upload folder using huggingface_hub

.github/workflows/update_space.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+name: Run Python script
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches:
+      - main
+
+jobs:
+  build:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+
+    steps:
+    - name: Checkout
+      uses: actions/checkout@v2
+
+    - name: Set up Python
+      uses: actions/setup-python@v2
+      with:
+        python-version: '3.9'
+
+    - name: Install Gradio
+      run: python -m pip install gradio
+
+    - name: Log in to Hugging Face
+      run: python -c 'import huggingface_hub; huggingface_hub.login(token="${{ secrets.hf_token }}")'
+
+    - name: Deploy to Spaces
+      run: gradio deploy

.gitignore

@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+# created by virtualenv automatically
+.venv
+.env
+

.gradio/certificate.pem

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+-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----
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+emyPxgcYxn/eR44/KJ4EBs+lVDR3veyJm+kXQ99b21/+jh5Xos1AnX5iItreGCc=
+-----END CERTIFICATE-----

.idea/.gitignore

@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+# Default ignored files
+/shelf/
+/workspace.xml
+# Editor-based HTTP Client requests
+/httpRequests/
+# Datasource local storage ignored files
+/dataSources/
+/dataSources.local.xml

.idea/ibfs_project.iml

@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
+<module type="PYTHON_MODULE" version="4">
+  <component name="NewModuleRootManager">
+    <content url="file://$MODULE_DIR$">
+      <excludeFolder url="file://$MODULE_DIR$/.venv" />
+    </content>
+    <orderEntry type="inheritedJdk" />
+    <orderEntry type="sourceFolder" forTests="false" />
+  </component>
+</module>

.idea/inspectionProfiles/Project_Default.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+<component name="InspectionProjectProfileManager">
+  <profile version="1.0">
+    <option name="myName" value="Project Default" />
+    <inspection_tool class="Eslint" enabled="true" level="WARNING" enabled_by_default="true" />
+    <inspection_tool class="PyPackageRequirementsInspection" enabled="true" level="WARNING" enabled_by_default="true">
+      <option name="ignoredPackages">
+        <value>
+          <list size="19">
+            <item index="0" class="java.lang.String" itemvalue="pydantic_core" />
+            <item index="1" class="java.lang.String" itemvalue="typing_extensions" />
+            <item index="2" class="java.lang.String" itemvalue="notebook_shim" />
+            <item index="3" class="java.lang.String" itemvalue="importlib_metadata" />
+            <item index="4" class="java.lang.String" itemvalue="prompt_toolkit" />
+            <item index="5" class="java.lang.String" itemvalue="prometheus_client" />
+            <item index="6" class="java.lang.String" itemvalue="jupyter_server" />
+            <item index="7" class="java.lang.String" itemvalue="jupyterlab_widgets" />
+            <item index="8" class="java.lang.String" itemvalue="jupyterlab_pygments" />
+            <item index="9" class="java.lang.String" itemvalue="jupyter_client" />
+            <item index="10" class="java.lang.String" itemvalue="jupyter_server_terminals" />
+            <item index="11" class="java.lang.String" itemvalue="jupyter_core" />
+            <item index="12" class="java.lang.String" itemvalue="jupyterlab_server" />
+            <item index="13" class="java.lang.String" itemvalue="print_versions" />
+            <item index="14" class="java.lang.String" itemvalue="importlib_resources" />
+            <item index="15" class="java.lang.String" itemvalue="language_data" />
+            <item index="16" class="java.lang.String" itemvalue="pyproject_hooks" />
+            <item index="17" class="java.lang.String" itemvalue="pure_eval" />
+            <item index="18" class="java.lang.String" itemvalue="plurals" />
+          </list>
+        </value>
+      </option>
+    </inspection_tool>
+    <inspection_tool class="PyPep8Inspection" enabled="true" level="WEAK WARNING" enabled_by_default="true">
+      <option name="ignoredErrors">
+        <list>
+          <option value="E501" />
+        </list>
+      </option>
+    </inspection_tool>
+  </profile>
+</component>

.idea/inspectionProfiles/profiles_settings.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+<component name="InspectionProjectProfileManager">
+  <settings>
+    <option name="USE_PROJECT_PROFILE" value="false" />
+    <version value="1.0" />
+  </settings>
+</component>

.idea/misc.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
+<project version="4">
+  <component name="Black">
+    <option name="sdkName" value="Python 3.12 (ibfs_project)" />
+  </component>
+  <component name="ProjectRootManager" version="2" project-jdk-name="Python 3.12 (ibfs_project)" project-jdk-type="Python SDK" />
+</project>

.idea/modules.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
+<project version="4">
+  <component name="ProjectModuleManager">
+    <modules>
+      <module fileurl="file://$PROJECT_DIR$/.idea/ibfs_project.iml" filepath="$PROJECT_DIR$/.idea/ibfs_project.iml" />
+    </modules>
+  </component>
+</project>

.idea/vcs.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
+<project version="4">
+  <component name="VcsDirectoryMappings">
+    <mapping directory="$PROJECT_DIR$" vcs="Git" />
+  </component>
+</project>

.idea/workspace.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,284 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
+<project version="4">
+  <component name="AutoImportSettings">
+    <option name="autoReloadType" value="SELECTIVE" />
+  </component>
+  <component name="ChangeListManager">
+    <list default="true" id="9bbb3f08-b213-4c07-a1f9-b2690e4a6d35" name="Changes" comment="simple working">
+      <change afterPath="$PROJECT_DIR$/agent_studies.py" afterDir="false" />
+      <change beforePath="$PROJECT_DIR$/app.py" beforeDir="false" afterPath="$PROJECT_DIR$/app.py" afterDir="false" />
+      <change beforePath="$PROJECT_DIR$/gradio_app.py" beforeDir="false" />
+      <change beforePath="$PROJECT_DIR$/prompts.py" beforeDir="false" afterPath="$PROJECT_DIR$/prompts.py" afterDir="false" />
+      <change beforePath="$PROJECT_DIR$/prompts.yaml" beforeDir="false" afterPath="$PROJECT_DIR$/prompts.yaml" afterDir="false" />
+    </list>
+    <option name="SHOW_DIALOG" value="false" />
+    <option name="HIGHLIGHT_CONFLICTS" value="true" />
+    <option name="HIGHLIGHT_NON_ACTIVE_CHANGELIST" value="false" />
+    <option name="LAST_RESOLUTION" value="IGNORE" />
+  </component>
+  <component name="FileTemplateManagerImpl">
+    <option name="RECENT_TEMPLATES">
+      <list>
+        <option value="Python Script" />
+      </list>
+    </option>
+  </component>
+  <component name="Git.Settings">
+    <option name="RECENT_BRANCH_BY_REPOSITORY">
+      <map>
+        <entry key="$PROJECT_DIR$" value="main" />
+      </map>
+    </option>
+    <option name="RECENT_GIT_ROOT_PATH" value="$PROJECT_DIR$" />
+  </component>
+  <component name="GitHubPullRequestSearchHistory">{
+  &quot;lastFilter&quot;: {
+    &quot;state&quot;: &quot;OPEN&quot;,
+    &quot;assignee&quot;: &quot;josh-ashkinaze&quot;
+  }
+}</component>
+  <component name="GithubPullRequestsUISettings">{
+  &quot;selectedUrlAndAccountId&quot;: {
+    &quot;url&quot;: &quot;https://github.com/josh-ashkinaze/ibfs_project.git&quot;,
+    &quot;accountId&quot;: &quot;67c5aa1d-9f62-44e5-af08-3ca11051ec38&quot;
+  }
+}</component>
+  <component name="ProjectColorInfo">{
+  &quot;associatedIndex&quot;: 4
+}</component>
+  <component name="ProjectId" id="2uH4GRG06kMBGZTewzWIlBNnBHr" />
+  <component name="ProjectLevelVcsManager" settingsEditedManually="true" />
+  <component name="ProjectViewState">
+    <option name="hideEmptyMiddlePackages" value="true" />
+    <option name="showLibraryContents" value="true" />
+  </component>
+  <component name="PropertiesComponent"><![CDATA[{
+  "keyToString": {
+    "Python.agent_studies.executor": "Run",
+    "Python.app.executor": "Run",
+    "Python.gradio.executor": "Run",
+    "Python.gradio_app.executor": "Run",
+    "Python.ibfs.executor": "Run",
+    "Python.prompts.executor": "Run",
+    "RunOnceActivity.ShowReadmeOnStart": "true",
+    "git-widget-placeholder": "dev/add-simplify-prompt",
+    "last_opened_file_path": "/Users/jashkina/Documents/LocResearch/ibfs/ibfs_project",
+    "node.js.detected.package.eslint": "true",
+    "node.js.detected.package.tslint": "true",
+    "node.js.selected.package.eslint": "(autodetect)",
+    "node.js.selected.package.tslint": "(autodetect)",
+    "nodejs_package_manager_path": "npm",
+    "vue.rearranger.settings.migration": "true"
+  }
+}]]></component>
+  <component name="RecentsManager">
+    <key name="CopyFile.RECENT_KEYS">
+      <recent name="$PROJECT_DIR$" />
+    </key>
+    <key name="MoveFile.RECENT_KEYS">
+      <recent name="$PROJECT_DIR$" />
+    </key>
+  </component>
+  <component name="RunManager" selected="Python.app">
+    <configuration name="agent_studies" type="PythonConfigurationType" factoryName="Python" temporary="true" nameIsGenerated="true">
+      <module name="ibfs_project" />
+      <option name="ENV_FILES" value="" />
+      <option name="INTERPRETER_OPTIONS" value="" />
+      <option name="PARENT_ENVS" value="true" />
+      <envs>
+        <env name="PYTHONUNBUFFERED" value="1" />
+      </envs>
+      <option name="SDK_HOME" value="" />
+      <option name="WORKING_DIRECTORY" value="$PROJECT_DIR$" />
+      <option name="IS_MODULE_SDK" value="true" />
+      <option name="ADD_CONTENT_ROOTS" value="true" />
+      <option name="ADD_SOURCE_ROOTS" value="true" />
+      <EXTENSION ID="PythonCoverageRunConfigurationExtension" runner="coverage.py" />
+      <option name="SCRIPT_NAME" value="$PROJECT_DIR$/agent_studies.py" />
+      <option name="PARAMETERS" value="" />
+      <option name="SHOW_COMMAND_LINE" value="false" />
+      <option name="EMULATE_TERMINAL" value="false" />
+      <option name="MODULE_MODE" value="false" />
+      <option name="REDIRECT_INPUT" value="false" />
+      <option name="INPUT_FILE" value="" />
+      <method v="2" />
+    </configuration>
+    <configuration name="app" type="PythonConfigurationType" factoryName="Python" temporary="true" nameIsGenerated="true">
+      <module name="ibfs_project" />
+      <option name="ENV_FILES" value="" />
+      <option name="INTERPRETER_OPTIONS" value="" />
+      <option name="PARENT_ENVS" value="true" />
+      <envs>
+        <env name="PYTHONUNBUFFERED" value="1" />
+      </envs>
+      <option name="SDK_HOME" value="" />
+      <option name="WORKING_DIRECTORY" value="$PROJECT_DIR$" />
+      <option name="IS_MODULE_SDK" value="true" />
+      <option name="ADD_CONTENT_ROOTS" value="true" />
+      <option name="ADD_SOURCE_ROOTS" value="true" />
+      <EXTENSION ID="PythonCoverageRunConfigurationExtension" runner="coverage.py" />
+      <option name="SCRIPT_NAME" value="$PROJECT_DIR$/app.py" />
+      <option name="PARAMETERS" value="" />
+      <option name="SHOW_COMMAND_LINE" value="false" />
+      <option name="EMULATE_TERMINAL" value="false" />
+      <option name="MODULE_MODE" value="false" />
+      <option name="REDIRECT_INPUT" value="false" />
+      <option name="INPUT_FILE" value="" />
+      <method v="2" />
+    </configuration>
+    <configuration name="gradio_app" type="PythonConfigurationType" factoryName="Python" temporary="true" nameIsGenerated="true">
+      <module name="ibfs_project" />
+      <option name="ENV_FILES" value="" />
+      <option name="INTERPRETER_OPTIONS" value="" />
+      <option name="PARENT_ENVS" value="true" />
+      <envs>
+        <env name="PYTHONUNBUFFERED" value="1" />
+      </envs>
+      <option name="SDK_HOME" value="" />
+      <option name="WORKING_DIRECTORY" value="$PROJECT_DIR$/.venv" />
+      <option name="IS_MODULE_SDK" value="false" />
+      <option name="ADD_CONTENT_ROOTS" value="true" />
+      <option name="ADD_SOURCE_ROOTS" value="true" />
+      <EXTENSION ID="PythonCoverageRunConfigurationExtension" runner="coverage.py" />
+      <option name="SCRIPT_NAME" value="$PROJECT_DIR$/gradio_app.py" />
+      <option name="PARAMETERS" value="" />
+      <option name="SHOW_COMMAND_LINE" value="false" />
+      <option name="EMULATE_TERMINAL" value="false" />
+      <option name="MODULE_MODE" value="false" />
+      <option name="REDIRECT_INPUT" value="false" />
+      <option name="INPUT_FILE" value="" />
+      <method v="2" />
+    </configuration>
+    <configuration name="ibfs" type="PythonConfigurationType" factoryName="Python" temporary="true" nameIsGenerated="true">
+      <module name="ibfs_project" />
+      <option name="ENV_FILES" value="" />
+      <option name="INTERPRETER_OPTIONS" value="" />
+      <option name="PARENT_ENVS" value="true" />
+      <envs>
+        <env name="PYTHONUNBUFFERED" value="1" />
+      </envs>
+      <option name="SDK_HOME" value="" />
+      <option name="WORKING_DIRECTORY" value="$PROJECT_DIR$" />
+      <option name="IS_MODULE_SDK" value="true" />
+      <option name="ADD_CONTENT_ROOTS" value="true" />
+      <option name="ADD_SOURCE_ROOTS" value="true" />
+      <EXTENSION ID="PythonCoverageRunConfigurationExtension" runner="coverage.py" />
+      <option name="SCRIPT_NAME" value="$PROJECT_DIR$/ibfs.py" />
+      <option name="PARAMETERS" value="" />
+      <option name="SHOW_COMMAND_LINE" value="false" />
+      <option name="EMULATE_TERMINAL" value="false" />
+      <option name="MODULE_MODE" value="false" />
+      <option name="REDIRECT_INPUT" value="false" />
+      <option name="INPUT_FILE" value="" />
+      <method v="2" />
+    </configuration>
+    <configuration name="prompts" type="PythonConfigurationType" factoryName="Python" temporary="true" nameIsGenerated="true">
+      <module name="ibfs_project" />
+      <option name="ENV_FILES" value="" />
+      <option name="INTERPRETER_OPTIONS" value="" />
+      <option name="PARENT_ENVS" value="true" />
+      <envs>
+        <env name="PYTHONUNBUFFERED" value="1" />
+      </envs>
+      <option name="SDK_HOME" value="" />
+      <option name="WORKING_DIRECTORY" value="$PROJECT_DIR$" />
+      <option name="IS_MODULE_SDK" value="true" />
+      <option name="ADD_CONTENT_ROOTS" value="true" />
+      <option name="ADD_SOURCE_ROOTS" value="true" />
+      <EXTENSION ID="PythonCoverageRunConfigurationExtension" runner="coverage.py" />
+      <option name="SCRIPT_NAME" value="$PROJECT_DIR$/prompts.py" />
+      <option name="PARAMETERS" value="" />
+      <option name="SHOW_COMMAND_LINE" value="false" />
+      <option name="EMULATE_TERMINAL" value="false" />
+      <option name="MODULE_MODE" value="false" />
+      <option name="REDIRECT_INPUT" value="false" />
+      <option name="INPUT_FILE" value="" />
+      <method v="2" />
+    </configuration>
+    <recent_temporary>
+      <list>
+        <item itemvalue="Python.app" />
+        <item itemvalue="Python.agent_studies" />
+        <item itemvalue="Python.prompts" />
+        <item itemvalue="Python.ibfs" />
+        <item itemvalue="Python.gradio_app" />
+      </list>
+    </recent_temporary>
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+  <component name="SharedIndexes">
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+  </component>
+  <component name="SpellCheckerSettings" RuntimeDictionaries="0" Folders="0" CustomDictionaries="0" DefaultDictionary="application-level" UseSingleDictionary="true" transferred="true" />
+  <component name="TaskManager">
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+    </task>
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+      <option name="presentableId" value="LOCAL-00003" />
+      <option name="project" value="LOCAL" />
+      <updated>1742306346259</updated>
+    </task>
+    <option name="localTasksCounter" value="4" />
+    <servers />
+  </component>
+  <component name="TypeScriptGeneratedFilesManager">
+    <option name="version" value="3" />
+  </component>
+  <component name="Vcs.Log.Tabs.Properties">
+    <option name="TAB_STATES">
+      <map>
+        <entry key="MAIN">
+          <value>
+            <State />
+          </value>
+        </entry>
+      </map>
+    </option>
+  </component>
+  <component name="VcsManagerConfiguration">
+    <MESSAGE value="init push" />
+    <MESSAGE value="working!" />
+    <MESSAGE value="simple working" />
+    <option name="LAST_COMMIT_MESSAGE" value="simple working" />
+  </component>
+  <component name="com.intellij.coverage.CoverageDataManagerImpl">
+    <SUITE FILE_PATH="coverage/ibfs_project$agent_studies.coverage" NAME="agent_studies Coverage Results" MODIFIED="1742414786075" SOURCE_PROVIDER="com.intellij.coverage.DefaultCoverageFileProvider" RUNNER="coverage.py" COVERAGE_BY_TEST_ENABLED="false" COVERAGE_TRACING_ENABLED="false" WORKING_DIRECTORY="$PROJECT_DIR$" />
+    <SUITE FILE_PATH="coverage/ibfs_project$gradio.coverage" NAME="gradio_app Coverage Results" MODIFIED="1741900260969" SOURCE_PROVIDER="com.intellij.coverage.DefaultCoverageFileProvider" RUNNER="coverage.py" COVERAGE_BY_TEST_ENABLED="false" COVERAGE_TRACING_ENABLED="false" WORKING_DIRECTORY="$PROJECT_DIR$/.venv" />
+    <SUITE FILE_PATH="coverage/ibfs_project$ibfs.coverage" NAME="ibfs Coverage Results" MODIFIED="1742299249064" SOURCE_PROVIDER="com.intellij.coverage.DefaultCoverageFileProvider" RUNNER="coverage.py" COVERAGE_BY_TEST_ENABLED="false" COVERAGE_TRACING_ENABLED="false" WORKING_DIRECTORY="$PROJECT_DIR$" />
+    <SUITE FILE_PATH="coverage/ibfs_project$prompts.coverage" NAME="prompts Coverage Results" MODIFIED="1742406568554" SOURCE_PROVIDER="com.intellij.coverage.DefaultCoverageFileProvider" RUNNER="coverage.py" COVERAGE_BY_TEST_ENABLED="false" COVERAGE_TRACING_ENABLED="false" WORKING_DIRECTORY="$PROJECT_DIR$" />
+    <SUITE FILE_PATH="coverage/ibfs_project$gradio_app.coverage" NAME="gradio_app Coverage Results" MODIFIED="1742298935501" SOURCE_PROVIDER="com.intellij.coverage.DefaultCoverageFileProvider" RUNNER="coverage.py" COVERAGE_BY_TEST_ENABLED="false" COVERAGE_TRACING_ENABLED="false" WORKING_DIRECTORY="$PROJECT_DIR$/.venv" />
+    <SUITE FILE_PATH="coverage/ibfs_project$app.coverage" NAME="app Coverage Results" MODIFIED="1742418323840" SOURCE_PROVIDER="com.intellij.coverage.DefaultCoverageFileProvider" RUNNER="coverage.py" COVERAGE_BY_TEST_ENABLED="false" COVERAGE_TRACING_ENABLED="false" WORKING_DIRECTORY="$PROJECT_DIR$" />
+  </component>
+</project>

.ipynb_checkpoints/Untitled-checkpoint.ipynb

@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+{
+ "cells": [],
+ "metadata": {},
+ "nbformat": 4,
+ "nbformat_minor": 5
+}

README.md

@@ -1,12 +1,6 @@
 ---
-title: Ibfs Demo
-emoji: 🐢
-colorFrom: pink
-colorTo: pink
-sdk: gradio
-sdk_version: 5.22.0
+title: ibfs_demo
 app_file: app.py
-pinned: false
+sdk: gradio
+sdk_version: 5.20.1
 ---
-
-Check out the configuration reference at https://huggingface.co/docs/hub/spaces-config-reference

agent_studies.py

@@ -0,0 +1,820 @@
+import os
+import json
+import uuid
+import random
+import yaml
+import litellm
+import tqdm
+import concurrent.futures
+from typing import List, Dict, Any, Optional, Tuple
+from datetime import datetime
+from pathlib import Path
+
+# Reuse components from the existing codebase
+from prompts import PROMPTS, format_prompt, load_prompts
+from utils import save_results, generate_user_id
+from ibfs import generate_strategies, answer_query
+from zero_shot import zero_shot_answer
+
+# Load environment variables and prompts
+load_prompts()
+
+
+class UserAgent:
+    """Simulates a user with a preferred answer and decision-making behavior."""
+
+    def __init__(self, llm_model: str = "gpt-4o", epsilon: float = 0.2):
+        """
+        Initialize the UserAgent with properties.
+
+        Args:
+            llm_model: The LLM model to use for agent decisions
+            epsilon: Probability of making a random choice instead of optimal
+        """
+        self.llm_model = llm_model
+        self.epsilon = epsilon
+        self.preferred_answer = None
+        self.query = None
+        self.id = generate_user_id()
+
+    def set_preferences(self, query: str):
+        """
+        Set a query and generate the preferred answer for this user.
+
+        Args:
+            query: The question the user wants answered
+        """
+        self.query = query
+
+        # Generate the user's preferred answer using the LLM
+        messages = [
+            {"role": "system",
+             "content": "You are generating a preferred answer that a user has in mind for their query. This represents what the user is hoping to learn or the perspective they're hoping to see."},
+            {"role": "user",
+             "content": f"For the query: '{query}', generate a detailed, thoughtful answer that will serve as the user's preferred answer. This is the information or perspective they are hoping to find. Make it 20 words."}
+        ]
+
+        response = litellm.completion(
+            model=self.llm_model,
+            messages=messages,
+            max_tokens=1000
+        )
+
+        self.preferred_answer = response.choices[0].message.content
+        return self.preferred_answer
+
+    def choose_strategy(self, strategies: List[str]) -> int:
+        """
+        Choose a strategy from the provided options.
+
+        Args:
+            strategies: List of strategy descriptions
+
+        Returns:
+            Index of the chosen strategy (0-based)
+        """
+        # With probability epsilon, make a random choice
+        if random.random() < self.epsilon:
+            return random.randint(0, len(strategies) - 1)
+
+        # Otherwise, evaluate which strategy gets closest to preferred answer
+        if not self.preferred_answer or not strategies:
+            return 0  # Default to first option if no preference or strategies
+
+        # Prompt the LLM to rank the strategies based on similarity to preferred answer
+        strategy_list = "\n".join([f"{i + 1}. {s}" for i, s in enumerate(strategies)])
+
+        messages = [
+            {"role": "system",
+             "content": "You are helping a user select the strategy that would most likely lead to their preferred answer."},
+            {"role": "user", "content": f"""
+Query: {self.query}
+
+User's preferred answer: {self.preferred_answer}
+
+Available strategies:
+{strategy_list}
+
+Which strategy (provide the number only) would most likely lead to an answer that matches the user's preferred answer? Respond with only a single number representing your choice.
+"""}
+        ]
+
+        try:
+            response = litellm.completion(
+                model=self.llm_model,
+                messages=messages,
+                temperature=0.2,
+                max_tokens=10
+            )
+
+            # Extract the chosen strategy number
+            content = response.choices[0].message.content.strip()
+            # Find the first number in the response
+            import re
+            match = re.search(r'\d+', content)
+            if match:
+                choice = int(match.group()) - 1  # Convert to 0-based index
+                # Ensure it's within bounds
+                if 0 <= choice < len(strategies):
+                    return choice
+
+            # If we couldn't parse the response or it's out of bounds, make a random choice
+            return random.randint(0, len(strategies) - 1)
+
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"Error in choosing strategy: {e}")
+            # Fall back to random choice
+            return random.randint(0, len(strategies) - 1)
+
+
+class IBFSAgent:
+    """Implements the Interactive Best-First Search process."""
+
+    def __init__(self,
+                 llm_model: str = "gpt-4o",
+                 diversity_level: str = "medium",
+                 branching_factor: int = 4,
+                 max_depth: int = 2):
+        """
+        Initialize the IBFSAgent with properties.
+
+        Args:
+            llm_model: The LLM model to use for generating candidates
+            diversity_level: How diverse the generated candidates should be (low, medium, high)
+            branching_factor: Number of candidates to generate at each step
+            max_depth: Maximum depth/iterations of the IBFS process
+        """
+        self.llm_model = llm_model
+        self.diversity_level = diversity_level
+        self.branching_factor = branching_factor
+        self.max_depth = max_depth
+        self.id = generate_user_id()
+
+        # Set up diversity-specific prompts
+        self._setup_prompts()
+
+    def _setup_prompts(self):
+        """Set up the candidate generation and refinement prompts based on diversity level."""
+        # Load the base prompts from PROMPTS dictionary
+        self.base_system_prompt = PROMPTS["ibfs"]["initial_strategies"]["system"]
+        self.base_user_prompt = PROMPTS["ibfs"]["initial_strategies"]["user"]
+        self.refinement_system_prompt = PROMPTS["ibfs"]["continuation_strategies"]["system"]
+        self.refinement_user_prompt = PROMPTS["ibfs"]["continuation_strategies"]["user"]
+
+        # Augment with diversity-specific instructions
+        diversity_instructions = {
+            "low": """
+The strategies you generate can be similar to each other and explore related approaches.
+There's no need to make them very different from each other.
+""",
+            "medium": """
+Each strategy should represent a somewhat different approach to answering the question.
+Try to include some variety in the approaches.
+""",
+            "high": """
+Each strategy should represent a substantially different approach to answering the question.
+Make sure the strategies are maximally diverse from each other - consider entirely different angles, 
+methodologies, perspectives, and areas of knowledge.
+"""
+        }
+
+        # Add diversity instructions to the prompts
+        self.diversity_instructions = diversity_instructions[self.diversity_level]
+
+    def generate_strategies(self, query: str, current_path: List[str] = None) -> List[str]:
+        """
+        Generate strategy options for the current step.
+
+        Args:
+            query: The user's query
+            current_path: List of previously selected strategies
+
+        Returns:
+            List of strategy descriptions
+        """
+        if not current_path or len(current_path) == 0:
+            # Initial generation
+            system_prompt = self.base_system_prompt + "\n" + self.diversity_instructions
+            user_prompt = self.base_user_prompt
+
+            # Format the prompts
+            format_args = {
+                "query": query,
+                "k": self.branching_factor
+            }
+        else:
+            # Refinement of previously selected strategy
+            system_prompt = self.refinement_system_prompt + "\n" + self.diversity_instructions
+            user_prompt = self.refinement_user_prompt
+
+            # Format the prompts
+            format_args = {
+                "query": query,
+                "selected_strategy": current_path[-1],
+                "k": self.branching_factor
+            }
+
+        # Format the prompts
+        system_message = format_prompt(system_prompt, **format_args)
+        user_message = format_prompt(user_prompt, **format_args)
+
+        messages = [
+            {"role": "system", "content": system_message},
+            {"role": "user", "content": user_message}
+        ]
+
+        try:
+            response = litellm.completion(
+                model=self.llm_model,
+                messages=messages,
+                temperature=0.7,
+                max_tokens=1000
+            )
+
+            content = response.choices[0].message.content
+
+            # Use the strategy parsing from ibfs.py
+            # Parse strategies using regex
+            import re
+            strategies = re.findall(r'\d+\.\s*(I can answer by[^\n\d]*(?:\n(?!\d+\.)[^\n]*)*)', content, re.IGNORECASE)
+
+            # If we didn't find enough strategies with that format, try alternative parsing
+            if len(strategies) < self.branching_factor:
+                strategies = re.findall(r'(?:^|\n)(I can answer by[^\n]*(?:\n(?!I can answer by)[^\n]*)*)', content,
+                                        re.IGNORECASE)
+
+            # Clean up the strategies
+            strategies = [s.strip() for s in strategies]
+
+            # Ensure we have exactly b strategies
+            if len(strategies) > self.branching_factor:
+                strategies = strategies[:self.branching_factor]
+
+            # If we still don't have enough strategies, create generic ones
+            while len(strategies) < self.branching_factor:
+                strategies.append(
+                    f"I can answer by using approach #{len(strategies) + 1} (Note: Strategy generation incomplete)")
+
+            return strategies
+
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"Error generating strategies: {e}")
+            # Return fallback strategies
+            return [f"I can answer by approach #{i + 1} (Error: Could not generate strategies)" for i in
+                    range(self.branching_factor)]
+
+    def generate_final_answer(self, query: str, strategy_path: List[str]) -> str:
+        """
+        Generate the final answer based on the selected strategy path.
+
+        Args:
+            query: The original user query
+            strategy_path: List of selected strategies
+
+        Returns:
+            Final answer to the query
+        """
+        if not strategy_path:
+            return "No strategy was selected to generate an answer."
+
+        final_strategy = strategy_path[-1]
+
+        # Use the answer_query function from ibfs.py
+        return answer_query(query, final_strategy)
+
+
+def run_simulation(query: str,
+                   user_agent: UserAgent,
+                   ibfs_agent: IBFSAgent) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """
+    Run a full simulation of a user interacting with the IBFS system.
+
+    Args:
+        query: The question to be answered
+        user_agent: The UserAgent instance
+        ibfs_agent: The IBFSAgent instance
+
+    Returns:
+        Dictionary containing the simulation results
+    """
+    # Set up the user's preferred answer
+    user_agent.set_preferences(query)
+
+    # Initialize the strategy path
+    strategy_path = []
+
+    # Record all strategies presented and choices made
+    history = []
+
+    # Run through the IBFS process up to max_depth
+    for depth in range(ibfs_agent.max_depth):
+        # Generate strategies at this step
+        strategies = ibfs_agent.generate_strategies(query, strategy_path)
+
+        # Have the user agent choose a strategy
+        choice_idx = user_agent.choose_strategy(strategies)
+        chosen_strategy = strategies[choice_idx]
+
+        # Record this step
+        history.append({
+            "depth": depth,
+            "strategies": strategies,
+            "choice_idx": choice_idx,
+            "chosen_strategy": chosen_strategy
+        })
+
+        # Update the strategy path
+        strategy_path.append(chosen_strategy)
+
+    # Generate the final answer
+    final_answer = ibfs_agent.generate_final_answer(query, strategy_path)
+
+    # Create the simulation result
+    result = {
+        "query": query,
+        "user_id": user_agent.id,
+        "ibfs_id": ibfs_agent.id,
+        "user_preferred_answer": user_agent.preferred_answer,
+        "final_answer": final_answer,
+        "strategy_path": strategy_path,
+        "history": history,
+        "ibfs_config": {
+            "diversity_level": ibfs_agent.diversity_level,
+            "branching_factor": ibfs_agent.branching_factor,
+            "max_depth": ibfs_agent.max_depth
+        },
+        "user_config": {
+            "epsilon": user_agent.epsilon
+        },
+        "timestamp": datetime.now().isoformat()
+    }
+
+    return result
+
+
+def evaluate_answer_similarity(answer1: str, answer2: str) -> float:
+    """
+    Evaluate the similarity between two answers using the LLM.
+
+    Args:
+        answer1: First answer
+        answer2: Second answer
+
+    Returns:
+        Similarity score (0-1)
+    """
+    messages = [
+        {"role": "system",
+         "content": "You are evaluating the similarity between a user's preferred answer and a generated answer. Provide a similarity score from 0 to 1, where 1 means identical in content and perspective, and 0 means completely different."},
+        {"role": "user", "content": f"""
+Answer 1:
+{answer1}
+
+Answer 2:
+{answer2}
+
+On a scale from 0 to 1, how similar are these answers in terms of content, perspective, and key information? 
+Provide only a single number as your response.
+"""}
+    ]
+
+    try:
+        response = litellm.completion(
+            model="gpt-4o",
+            messages=messages,
+            temperature=0.1,
+            max_tokens=10
+        )
+
+        content = response.choices[0].message.content.strip()
+        # Extract the score from the response
+        import re
+        match = re.search(r'(\d+(\.\d+)?)', content)
+        if match:
+            score = float(match.group(1))
+            # Ensure it's in the range [0, 1]
+            return max(0, min(score, 1))
+        else:
+            # Default score if parsing fails
+            return 0.5
+
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Error evaluating similarity: {e}")
+        return 0.5
+
+
+def process_simulation(args):
+    """
+    Process a single simulation for parallel execution.
+
+    Args:
+        args: Tuple containing (query, user_config, ibfs_config, experiment_id, sim_count)
+
+    Returns:
+        Simulation result
+    """
+    query, user_config, ibfs_config, experiment_id, sim_count = args
+
+    try:
+        # Create agents with the current configuration
+        user_agent = UserAgent(epsilon=user_config["epsilon"])
+        ibfs_agent = IBFSAgent(
+            diversity_level=ibfs_config["diversity_level"],
+            branching_factor=ibfs_config["branching_factor"],
+            max_depth=ibfs_config["max_depth"]
+        )
+
+        # Run the simulation
+        result = run_simulation(query, user_agent, ibfs_agent)
+
+        # Add evaluation of similarity between preferred and final answers
+        similarity = evaluate_answer_similarity(
+            user_agent.preferred_answer,
+            result["final_answer"]
+        )
+        result["similarity_score"] = similarity
+
+        # Add metadata
+        result["experiment_id"] = experiment_id
+        result["simulation_id"] = sim_count
+
+        # Save individual result
+        os.makedirs("experiment_results", exist_ok=True)
+        simulation_id = f"{experiment_id}_sim_{sim_count}"
+        with open(f"experiment_results/{simulation_id}.json", "w") as f:
+            json.dump(result, f, indent=2)
+
+        return result
+
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Error in simulation {sim_count}: {e}")
+        return {
+            "error": str(e),
+            "experiment_id": experiment_id,
+            "simulation_id": sim_count,
+            "query": query
+        }
+
+
+def run_experiment(queries: List[str],
+                   diversity_levels: List[str],
+                   branching_factors: List[int],
+                   max_depths: List[int],
+                   epsilon_values: List[float],
+                   repetitions: int = 3,
+                   max_workers: int = 4) -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
+    """
+    Run a full experiment with different configurations using parallel processing.
+
+    Args:
+        queries: List of queries to test
+        diversity_levels: List of diversity levels to test
+        branching_factors: List of branching factors to test
+        max_depths: List of max depths to test
+        epsilon_values: List of epsilon values to test
+        repetitions: Number of repetitions for each configuration
+        max_workers: Maximum number of parallel workers
+
+    Returns:
+        List of results for all simulations
+    """
+    # Create the results directory if it doesn't exist
+    os.makedirs("experiment_results", exist_ok=True)
+
+    # Generate a unique experiment ID
+    experiment_id = f"exp_{datetime.now().strftime('%Y%m%d_%H%M%S')}"
+
+    # Create a config log for this experiment
+    config = {
+        "experiment_id": experiment_id,
+        "queries": queries,
+        "diversity_levels": diversity_levels,
+        "branching_factors": branching_factors,
+        "max_depths": max_depths,
+        "epsilon_values": epsilon_values,
+        "repetitions": repetitions,
+        "timestamp": datetime.now().isoformat()
+    }
+
+    # Save the configuration
+    with open(f"experiment_results/{experiment_id}_config.json", "w") as f:
+        json.dump(config, f, indent=2)
+
+    # Prepare all simulation configurations
+    simulation_args = []
+    sim_count = 0
+
+    for query in queries:
+        for diversity in diversity_levels:
+            for branching in branching_factors:
+                for depth in max_depths:
+                    for epsilon in epsilon_values:
+                        for rep in range(repetitions):
+                            # Create configuration for this simulation
+                            user_config = {"epsilon": epsilon}
+                            ibfs_config = {
+                                "diversity_level": diversity,
+                                "branching_factor": branching,
+                                "max_depth": depth
+                            }
+
+                            # Add to arguments list
+                            simulation_args.append((query, user_config, ibfs_config, experiment_id, sim_count))
+                            sim_count += 1
+
+    # Calculate total simulations
+    total_simulations = len(simulation_args)
+
+    # Run simulations in parallel with progress bar
+    results = []
+    with tqdm.tqdm(total=total_simulations, desc="Running simulations") as pbar:
+        with concurrent.futures.ProcessPoolExecutor(max_workers=max_workers) as executor:
+            # Submit all simulations and process as they complete
+            future_to_sim = {executor.submit(process_simulation, args): args for args in simulation_args}
+
+            for future in concurrent.futures.as_completed(future_to_sim):
+                result = future.result()
+                results.append(result)
+                pbar.update(1)
+
+    # Save aggregated results
+    with open(f"experiment_results/{experiment_id}_all_results.json", "w") as f:
+        json.dump(results, f, indent=2)
+
+    return results
+
+
+def analyze_results(experiment_id: str) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """
+    Analyze the results of an experiment.
+
+    Args:
+        experiment_id: ID of the experiment to analyze
+
+    Returns:
+        Dictionary with analysis results
+    """
+    # Load all simulation results for this experiment
+    results = []
+    for filename in os.listdir("experiment_results"):
+        if filename.startswith(experiment_id) and not filename.endswith("config.json") and not filename.endswith(
+                "all_results.json") and not filename.endswith("analysis.json"):
+            with open(f"experiment_results/{filename}", "r") as f:
+                try:
+                    results.append(json.load(f))
+                except json.JSONDecodeError:
+                    print(f"Error loading {filename}")
+
+    # Aggregate metrics by configuration
+    aggregated = {}
+
+    for result in results:
+        if "error" in result:
+            continue  # Skip failed simulations
+
+        # Create a key for this configuration
+        config_key = (
+            result["ibfs_config"]["diversity_level"],
+            result["ibfs_config"]["branching_factor"],
+            result["ibfs_config"]["max_depth"],
+            result["user_config"]["epsilon"]
+        )
+
+        # Initialize if this is the first result with this config
+        if config_key not in aggregated:
+            aggregated[config_key] = {
+                "similarity_scores": [],
+                "config": {
+                    "diversity_level": result["ibfs_config"]["diversity_level"],
+                    "branching_factor": result["ibfs_config"]["branching_factor"],
+                    "max_depth": result["ibfs_config"]["max_depth"],
+                    "epsilon": result["user_config"]["epsilon"]
+                },
+                "queries": []
+            }
+
+        # Add the similarity score
+        aggregated[config_key]["similarity_scores"].append(result["similarity_score"])
+
+        # Track queries for this configuration
+        if result["query"] not in aggregated[config_key]["queries"]:
+            aggregated[config_key]["queries"].append(result["query"])
+
+    # Calculate summary statistics
+    summary = []
+    for config_key, data in aggregated.items():
+        scores = data["similarity_scores"]
+        summary.append({
+            "config": data["config"],
+            "avg_similarity": sum(scores) / len(scores) if scores else 0,
+            "min_similarity": min(scores) if scores else 0,
+            "max_similarity": max(scores) if scores else 0,
+            "std_deviation": (sum((x - (sum(scores) / len(scores))) ** 2 for x in scores) / len(
+                scores)) ** 0.5 if scores else 0,
+            "num_samples": len(scores),
+            "queries_tested": len(data["queries"])
+        })
+
+    # Sort by average similarity (descending)
+    summary.sort(key=lambda x: x["avg_similarity"], reverse=True)
+
+    # Add query-specific analysis
+    query_analysis = {}
+    for result in results:
+        if "error" in result:
+            continue
+
+        query = result["query"]
+        if query not in query_analysis:
+            query_analysis[query] = {
+                "best_config": None,
+                "best_similarity": -1,
+                "configs_tested": 0,
+                "avg_similarity": 0,
+                "all_scores": []
+            }
+
+        # Track all scores for this query
+        query_analysis[query]["all_scores"].append(result["similarity_score"])
+
+        # Update best configuration for this query
+        if result["similarity_score"] > query_analysis[query]["best_similarity"]:
+            query_analysis[query]["best_similarity"] = result["similarity_score"]
+            query_analysis[query]["best_config"] = {
+                "diversity_level": result["ibfs_config"]["diversity_level"],
+                "branching_factor": result["ibfs_config"]["branching_factor"],
+                "max_depth": result["ibfs_config"]["max_depth"],
+                "epsilon": result["user_config"]["epsilon"]
+            }
+
+    # Calculate query statistics
+    for query, data in query_analysis.items():
+        scores = data["all_scores"]
+        data["avg_similarity"] = sum(scores) / len(scores) if scores else 0
+        data["configs_tested"] = len(scores)
+        # Remove the raw scores to keep the analysis file smaller
+        del data["all_scores"]
+
+    # Save the analysis
+    analysis = {
+        "experiment_id": experiment_id,
+        "total_simulations": len(results),
+        "summary": summary,
+        "query_analysis": query_analysis,
+        "timestamp": datetime.now().isoformat()
+    }
+
+    with open(f"experiment_results/{experiment_id}_analysis.json", "w") as f:
+        json.dump(analysis, f, indent=2)
+
+    return analysis
+
+
+def compare_to_zero_shot(experiment_id: str, queries: List[str]) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """
+    Compare IBFS results to zero-shot answers.
+
+    Args:
+        experiment_id: ID of the experiment to compare
+        queries: List of queries to test with zero-shot
+
+    Returns:
+        Comparison results
+    """
+    # First, get zero-shot answers for all queries
+    zero_shot_results = []
+
+    print("Generating zero-shot answers...")
+    for query in tqdm.tqdm(queries):
+        try:
+            # Generate zero-shot answer using function from ibfs.py
+            answer = zero_shot_answer(query)
+
+            # Save the result
+            zero_shot_results.append({
+                "query": query,
+                "zero_shot_answer": answer
+            })
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"Error generating zero-shot answer for '{query}': {e}")
+            zero_shot_results.append({
+                "query": query,
+                "zero_shot_answer": f"Error: {str(e)}",
+                "error": True
+            })
+
+    # Load the IBFS experiment results
+    analysis = analyze_results(experiment_id)
+
+    # Load the best configurations from the analysis
+    best_config = analysis["summary"][0]["config"] if analysis["summary"] else None
+
+    # For each query, compare the best IBFS result to the zero-shot answer
+    comparison = []
+
+    print("Comparing zero-shot to IBFS results...")
+    for zero_shot_result in tqdm.tqdm(zero_shot_results):
+        query = zero_shot_result["query"]
+        zero_shot_answer = zero_shot_result["zero_shot_answer"]
+
+        # Find the best IBFS result for this query
+        query_data = analysis.get("query_analysis", {}).get(query, {})
+        best_config_for_query = query_data.get("best_config", best_config)
+
+        if best_config_for_query:
+            # Find a simulation with this configuration and query
+            matching_results = []
+            for filename in os.listdir("experiment_results"):
+                if filename.startswith(experiment_id) and not filename.endswith(
+                        "config.json") and not filename.endswith("all_results.json") and not filename.endswith(
+                        "analysis.json"):
+                    try:
+                        with open(f"experiment_results/{filename}", "r") as f:
+                            result = json.load(f)
+                            if (result.get("query") == query and
+                                    result.get("ibfs_config", {}).get("diversity_level") == best_config_for_query.get(
+                                        "diversity_level") and
+                                    result.get("ibfs_config", {}).get("branching_factor") == best_config_for_query.get(
+                                        "branching_factor") and
+                                    result.get("ibfs_config", {}).get("max_depth") == best_config_for_query.get(
+                                        "max_depth") and
+                                    result.get("user_config", {}).get("epsilon") == best_config_for_query.get(
+                                        "epsilon")):
+                                matching_results.append(result)
+                    except:
+                        continue
+
+            # Use the best matching result (if any)
+            if matching_results:
+                # Sort by similarity score (descending)
+                matching_results.sort(key=lambda x: x.get("similarity_score", 0), reverse=True)
+                best_ibfs_result = matching_results[0]
+
+                # Compare zero-shot to user's preferred answer
+                preferred_answer = best_ibfs_result.get("user_preferred_answer", "")
+                zero_shot_similarity = evaluate_answer_similarity(preferred_answer, zero_shot_answer)
+
+                # Get the IBFS similarity (already calculated)
+                ibfs_similarity = best_ibfs_result.get("similarity_score", 0)
+
+                comparison.append({
+                    "query": query,
+                    "zero_shot_similarity": zero_shot_similarity,
+                    "ibfs_similarity": ibfs_similarity,
+                    "difference": ibfs_similarity - zero_shot_similarity,
+                    "ibfs_config": best_config_for_query
+                })
+        else:
+            print(f"No valid configuration found for query: {query}")
+
+    # Calculate overall metrics
+    zero_shot_avg = sum(item["zero_shot_similarity"] for item in comparison) / len(comparison) if comparison else 0
+    ibfs_avg = sum(item["ibfs_similarity"] for item in comparison) / len(comparison) if comparison else 0
+    avg_difference = sum(item["difference"] for item in comparison) / len(comparison) if comparison else 0
+
+    # Save the comparison results
+    comparison_results = {
+        "experiment_id": experiment_id,
+        "zero_shot_avg_similarity": zero_shot_avg,
+        "ibfs_avg_similarity": ibfs_avg,
+        "avg_difference": avg_difference,
+        "query_comparisons": comparison,
+        "timestamp": datetime.now().isoformat()
+    }
+
+    with open(f"experiment_results/{experiment_id}_zero_shot_comparison.json", "w") as f:
+        json.dump(comparison_results, f, indent=2)
+
+    return comparison_results
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    # Ensure the prompts from YAML file are loaded
+    if not PROMPTS:
+        load_prompts()
+
+    # Sample queries to test
+    queries = [
+        "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?",
+        "How has artificial intelligence changed the job market in the past decade?",
+        "What are the most effective strategies for reducing stress and anxiety?",
+        "What are the arguments for and against universal basic income?",
+    ]
+
+    # Experiment parameters
+    diversity_levels = ["low", "medium", "high"]
+    branching_factors = [2, 4, 8]
+    max_depths = [1, 2, 4]
+    epsilon_values = [0.1, 0.3]
+
+    # Run a smaller test experiment
+    print("Running test experiment...")
+    test_results = run_experiment(
+        queries=queries[:1],  # Just use the first query for testing
+        diversity_levels=diversity_levels[:2],  # Test low and medium diversity
+        branching_factors=[2, 4],  # Test b=2 and b=4
+        max_depths=[1, 2],  # Test m=1 and m=2
+        epsilon_values=[0.2],  # Test epsilon=0.2
+        repetitions=10,  # Just 2 repetitions for testing
+        max_workers=7  # Use 2 parallel workers for testing
+    )

analysis_exp_20250319_141119/basic_stats.json

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+{
+  "total_simulations": 16,
+  "parameter_ranges": {
+    "diversity_levels": [
+      "low",
+      "medium"
+    ],
+    "branching_factors": [
+      

analysis_output_exp_20250319_141119/basic_stats.json

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+{
+  "total_simulations": 16,
+  "parameter_ranges": {
+    "diversity_levels": [
+      "low",
+      "medium"
+    ],
+    "branching_factors": [
+      

app.py

@@ -0,0 +1,299 @@
+import gradio as gr
+from dotenv import load_dotenv
+
+# Import from other modules
+from ibfs import start_ibfs, handle_choice
+from zero_shot import start_zero_shot
+
+# Load environment variables
+load_dotenv()
+
+
+
+# Define dependent variables for user evaluation
+DV_QUESTIONS = [
+    "How satisfied are you with the answer? (1-5)",
+    "How clear was the explanation? (1-5)",
+    "How relevant was the answer to your query? (1-5)",
+    "How confident are you in the accuracy of the answer? (1-5)",
+    "Would you use this method again for similar questions? (Yes/No)"
+]
+
+
+def save_dv_responses(user_id, method, responses):
+    """Save user's responses to dependent variable questions."""
+    from utils import save_results
+    import json
+    from datetime import datetime
+
+    timestamp = datetime.now().strftime("%Y%m%d_%H%M%S")
+    filename = f"ibfs_results/{user_id}_{method}_dv_{timestamp}.json"
+
+    with open(filename, "w") as f:
+        json.dump(responses, f, indent=2)
+
+    return filename
+
+
+def process_dv_responses(state, *responses):
+    """Process and save the user's responses to dependent variables."""
+    if not state:
+        return "No active session"
+
+    user_id = state.get("user_id", "unknown")
+    method = state.get("method", "unknown")
+
+    # Create a dictionary of responses
+    response_dict = {
+        "user_id": user_id,
+        "method": method,
+        "responses": {}
+    }
+
+    for i, response in enumerate(responses):
+        response_dict["responses"][f"question_{i + 1}"] = {
+            "question": DV_QUESTIONS[i],
+            "response": response
+        }
+
+    # Save responses
+    save_path = save_dv_responses(user_id, method, response_dict)
+
+    return f"Thank you for your feedback! Responses saved to {save_path}"
+
+
+def create_ibfs_interface():
+    """Create the IBFS tab interface."""
+    with gr.Column():
+        gr.Markdown("# IBFS")
+        gr.Markdown("Enter your query and set parameters to explore different strategies.")
+
+        with gr.Row():
+            with gr.Column(scale=3):
+                ibfs_query_input = gr.Textbox(
+                    label="Query",
+                    placeholder="Enter your question here...",
+                    lines=3
+                )
+
+            with gr.Column(scale=1):
+                k_slider = gr.Slider(
+                    minimum=2,
+                    maximum=5,
+                    step=1,
+                    value=3,
+                    label="k (Branching Factor - options per step)"
+                )
+                m_slider = gr.Slider(
+                    minimum=1,
+                    maximum=3,
+                    step=1,
+                    value=2,
+                    label="m (Depth - number of iterations)"
+                )
+
+        ibfs_start_btn = gr.Button("Start IBFS Process", variant="primary")
+
+        # State for maintaining context between steps
+        ibfs_state = gr.State(None)
+
+        # Chat display
+        ibfs_chatbot = gr.Chatbot(
+            label="Interactive Search Process",
+            height=600,
+            type="messages"
+        )
+
+        # User choice input for selecting strategies
+        ibfs_choice_input = gr.Textbox(
+            label="Enter the number of your choice (e.g., 1, 2, 3...)",
+            placeholder="Type a number and press Enter",
+            lines=1
+        )
+
+        # Event handlers for IBFS
+        ibfs_start_btn.click(
+            fn=start_ibfs,
+            inputs=[ibfs_query_input, k_slider, m_slider],
+            outputs=[ibfs_state, ibfs_chatbot],
+            show_progress="minimal"
+        )
+
+        ibfs_choice_input.submit(
+            fn=handle_choice,
+            inputs=[ibfs_state, ibfs_choice_input],
+            outputs=[ibfs_state, ibfs_chatbot],
+            show_progress="minimal"
+        )
+
+        ibfs_choice_input.submit(
+            fn=lambda: "",
+            inputs=[],
+            outputs=[ibfs_choice_input]
+        )
+
+        # Dependent Variables Section (initially hidden)
+        with gr.Accordion("Evaluation Questions", open=False, visible=False) as ibfs_dv_accordion:
+            ibfs_dv_inputs = []
+            for i, question in enumerate(DV_QUESTIONS):
+                if "1-5" in question:
+                    dv_input = gr.Slider(
+                        minimum=1,
+                        maximum=5,
+                        step=1,
+                        value=3,
+                        label=question
+                    )
+                elif "Yes/No" in question:
+                    dv_input = gr.Radio(
+                        choices=["Yes", "No"],
+                        label=question
+                    )
+                else:
+                    dv_input = gr.Textbox(
+                        label=question
+                    )
+                ibfs_dv_inputs.append(dv_input)
+
+            ibfs_submit_dv_btn = gr.Button("Submit Evaluation", variant="primary")
+            ibfs_dv_result = gr.Markdown("")
+
+            # Function to show DV accordion after final answer is generated
+            def show_dv_section(state):
+                if state and state.get("current_step", 0) == 0 and state.get("strategy_path", []):
+                    # This means we've completed a cycle and have a final answer
+                    state["method"] = "ibfs"  # Add method to state for DV processing
+                    return gr.update(visible=True, open=True)
+                return gr.update(visible=False, open=False)
+
+            # Update visibility of DV section when state changes
+            ibfs_state.change(
+                fn=show_dv_section,
+                inputs=[ibfs_state],
+                outputs=[ibfs_dv_accordion]
+            )
+
+            # Handle DV submission
+            ibfs_submit_dv_btn.click(
+                fn=process_dv_responses,
+                inputs=[ibfs_state] + ibfs_dv_inputs,
+                outputs=ibfs_dv_result
+            )
+
+    return (ibfs_query_input, k_slider, m_slider, ibfs_start_btn,
+            ibfs_state, ibfs_chatbot, ibfs_choice_input)
+
+
+def create_zero_shot_interface():
+    """Create the Zero-Shot tab interface."""
+    with gr.Column():
+        gr.Markdown("# Zero-Shot Direct Answer")
+        gr.Markdown("Enter your query to get a direct answer without interactive exploration.")
+
+        zero_query_input = gr.Textbox(
+            label="Query",
+            placeholder="Enter your question here...",
+            lines=3
+        )
+
+        zero_shot_btn = gr.Button("Get Direct Answer", variant="primary")
+
+        # State for maintaining context for zero-shot
+        zero_state = gr.State(None)
+
+        # Chat display
+        zero_chatbot = gr.Chatbot(
+            label="Direct Answer",
+            height=600,
+            type="messages"
+        )
+
+        # Modified zero-shot function to return state
+        def zero_shot_with_state(query):
+            """Wrapper for zero_shot to also return state"""
+            from utils import generate_user_id
+            chat_history = start_zero_shot(query)
+            # Create state with user_id and method for DV processing
+            state = {
+                "user_id": generate_user_id(),
+                "method": "zero_shot",
+                "has_answer": True  # Flag to indicate answer is ready
+            }
+            return state, chat_history
+
+        # Event handler for zero-shot
+        zero_shot_btn.click(
+            fn=zero_shot_with_state,
+            inputs=zero_query_input,
+            outputs=[zero_state, zero_chatbot],
+            show_progress="minimal"
+        )
+
+        # Dependent Variables Section (initially hidden)
+        with gr.Accordion("Evaluation Questions", open=False, visible=False) as zero_dv_accordion:
+            zero_dv_inputs = []
+            for i, question in enumerate(DV_QUESTIONS):
+                if "1-5" in question:
+                    dv_input = gr.Slider(
+                        minimum=1,
+                        maximum=5,
+                        step=1,
+                        value=3,
+                        label=question
+                    )
+                elif "Yes/No" in question:
+                    dv_input = gr.Radio(
+                        choices=["Yes", "No"],
+                        label=question
+                    )
+                else:
+                    dv_input = gr.Textbox(
+                        label=question
+                    )
+                zero_dv_inputs.append(dv_input)
+
+            zero_submit_dv_btn = gr.Button("Submit Evaluation", variant="primary")
+            zero_dv_result = gr.Markdown("")
+
+            # Function to show DV accordion after answer is generated
+            def show_zero_dv_section(state):
+                if state and state.get("has_answer", False):
+                    return gr.update(visible=True, open=True)
+                return gr.update(visible=False, open=False)
+
+            # Update visibility of DV section when state changes
+            zero_state.change(
+                fn=show_zero_dv_section,
+                inputs=[zero_state],
+                outputs=[zero_dv_accordion]
+            )
+
+            # Handle DV submission
+            zero_submit_dv_btn.click(
+                fn=process_dv_responses,
+                inputs=[zero_state] + zero_dv_inputs,
+                outputs=zero_dv_result
+            )
+
+    return zero_query_input, zero_shot_btn, zero_chatbot
+
+
+def create_gradio_app():
+    """Create the main Gradio application with tabs."""
+    with gr.Blocks() as app:
+        with gr.Tabs() as tabs:
+            # IBFS Tab
+            with gr.Tab("IBFS"):
+                create_ibfs_interface()
+
+            # Zero-Shot Tab
+            with gr.Tab("Zero-Shot"):
+                create_zero_shot_interface()
+
+    return app
+
+
+# Create and launch the app
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    ibfs_app = create_gradio_app()
+    ibfs_app.launch(share=True)

experiment_results/exp_20250319_141119_config.json

@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+{
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_141119",
+  "queries": [
+    "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?"
+  ],
+  "diversity_levels": [
+    "low",
+    "medium"
+  ],
+  "branching_factors": [
+    2,
+    4
+  ],
+  "max_depths": [
+    1,
+    2
+  ],
+  "epsilon_values": [
+    0.2
+  ],
+  "repetitions": 2,
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T14:11:19.463061"
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_141119_sim_0.json

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+{
+  "query": "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?",
+  "user_id": "ec487b84-f421-4825-925e-6811623122df",
+  "ibfs_id": "1f13d1b0-313f-4112-8ec3-4b366183261f",
+  "user_preferred_answer": "Electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles have distinct environmental impacts, and understanding these differences is crucial for assessing their roles in sustainable transportation.\n\n1. **Emissions During Use**: One of the most significant environmental advantages of EVs over gasoline vehicles is their lack of tailpipe emissions. While gasoline vehicles emit carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter, contributing to air pollution and climate change, EVs run on electricity and produce no direct emissions. This shift can significantly improve air quality, especially in urban areas.\n\n2. **Lifecycle Emissions**: When evaluating the overall environmental impact, it's essential to consider the entire lifecycle of the vehicles, from production to disposal. EVs generally have higher emissions during the manufacturing phase, primarily due to the battery production, which requires mining and processing of minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. However, these initial emissions are often offset by the reduced emissions during the vehicle's operational phase.\n\n3. **Energy Source for Electricity**: The environmental benefits of EVs are closely tied to the energy sources used for electricity generation. In regions where the grid is predominantly powered by coal or other fossil fuels, the emissions benefits of EVs are reduced. However, as the grid becomes greener with more renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power, the environmental advantage of EVs increases.\n\n4. **Resource Extraction and Battery Production**: The production of EV batteries involves resource-intensive processes. Mining for battery materials can lead to habitat destruction, water pollution, and significant energy use. However, advancements in battery technology and recycling processes are continually being developed to mitigate these impacts.\n\n5. **End-of-Life and Recycling**: The disposal and recycling of both EVs and gasoline vehicles present environmental challenges. EV batteries, in particular, require careful handling due to their chemical components. Recycling programs are crucial to reclaim valuable materials and reduce environmental harm. The automotive industry is investing in improving battery recycling technologies to enhance sustainability.\n\n6. **Efficiency and Energy Use**: EVs are generally more efficient than gasoline vehicles. Electric motors convert over 60% of the electrical energy from the grid to power at the wheels, while conventional gasoline engines convert only about 20% of the energy stored in gasoline. This higher efficiency translates to less energy use and lower overall emissions, assuming a clean energy source.\n\nIn conclusion, while electric vehicles present certain environmental challenges, particularly in terms of battery production and resource extraction, they offer significant benefits in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants during operation. The net environmental impact of EVs is highly dependent on the electricity grid's cleanliness, advancements in battery technology, and effective recycling systems. As clean energy sources and technologies continue to evolve, the environmental benefits of EVs are expected to increase, making them a key component in reducing the transportation sector's carbon footprint.",
+  "final_answer": "To assess the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) compared to traditional gasoline vehicles, we will conduct a comparative lifecycle analysis. This analysis examines the entire lifecycle of both vehicle types, including raw material extraction, manufacturing, usage, and end-of-life disposal. We will evaluate each stage in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, resource consumption, and pollution.\n\n### 1. Raw Material Extraction\n\n#### Electric Vehicles:\n- **Battery Production:** EVs require lithium-ion batteries, which involve the extraction of lithium, cobalt, nickel, and other metals. Mining these materials can lead to significant environmental degradation, including habitat destruction, water pollution, and high energy consumption.\n- **Other Components:** EVs also use copper and rare earth elements for motors and electronics, which require additional mining activities.\n\n#### Gasoline Vehicles:\n- **Fuel Extraction:** The extraction of crude oil for gasoline involves drilling, which can cause oil spills, habitat disruption, and significant land and water pollution.\n- **Material Use:** Gasoline vehicles primarily use steel, aluminum, and plastics, which also require energy-intensive extraction processes but generally have a less complex supply chain than EV batteries.\n\n### 2. Manufacturing\n\n#### Electric Vehicles:\n- **Energy-Intensive Production:** The manufacturing of EVs, particularly their batteries, is energy-intensive. The production process emits more greenhouse gases compared to gasoline vehicles due to the energy required for battery production.\n- **Manufacturing Emissions:** Overall, EVs have higher emissions during the manufacturing phase because of the complex battery systems.\n\n#### Gasoline Vehicles:\n- **Conventional Manufacturing:** The production of gasoline vehicles is well-established and generally less energy-intensive than EVs, resulting in lower emissions during the manufacturing phase.\n\n### 3. Usage\n\n#### Electric Vehicles:\n- **Zero Tailpipe Emissions:** EVs produce no tailpipe emissions, significantly reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions during operation.\n- **Electricity Source:** The environmental impact during the usage phase depends on the electricity source. If the electricity comes from renewable sources, the emissions are minimal. However, if it is from coal or natural gas, the emissions can be substantial.\n\n#### Gasoline Vehicles:\n- **Combustion Emissions:** Gasoline vehicles emit carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter during operation, contributing to air pollution and climate change.\n- **Fuel Efficiency:** Improvements in fuel efficiency can reduce emissions, but they still remain higher than those of EVs, especially when EVs are powered by clean energy.\n\n### 4. End-of-Life Disposal\n\n#### Electric Vehicles:\n- **Battery Recycling:** The disposal and recycling of batteries are critical. Improper disposal can lead to environmental contamination. However, advances in battery recycling technologies are improving the recovery of valuable materials.\n- **Vehicle Recycling:** Like gasoline vehicles, the rest of the EV can be recycled, but the battery poses unique challenges.\n\n#### Gasoline Vehicles:\n- **Recycling:** Gasoline vehicles have a well-established recycling process for metals and other materials, which mitigates some environmental impacts.\n- **Waste Products:** End-of-life gasoline vehicles do not have the same battery disposal issues as EVs, but they still contribute to waste and pollution.\n\n### Conclusion\n\nIn summary, electric vehicles generally have a higher environmental impact during the raw material extraction and manufacturing phases due to the energy-intensive processes involved in battery production. However, during the usage phase, EVs offer significant environmental benefits over gasoline vehicles, especially when powered by renewable energy, as they produce zero tailpipe emissions. The end-of-life disposal of EVs presents challenges, particularly with battery recycling, but advancements in this area are ongoing. Overall, while EVs have a larger initial environmental footprint, their long-term benefits in reducing emissions and pollution make them a more sustainable option compared to traditional gasoline vehicles, particularly as the electricity grid becomes greener.",
+  "strategy_path": [
+    "I can answer by conducting a comparative lifecycle analysis of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach involves examining the entire lifecycle of both types of vehicles, from raw material extraction and manufacturing to usage and end-of-life disposal. I would assess the environmental impacts at each stage, considering factors such as greenhouse gas emissions, resource consumption, and pollution. This comprehensive analysis would provide a detailed view of the overall environmental footprint of each vehicle type."
+  ],
+  "history": [
+    {
+      "depth": 0,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a comparative lifecycle analysis of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach involves examining the entire lifecycle of both types of vehicles, from raw material extraction and manufacturing to usage and end-of-life disposal. I would assess the environmental impacts at each stage, considering factors such as greenhouse gas emissions, resource consumption, and pollution. This comprehensive analysis would provide a detailed view of the overall environmental footprint of each vehicle type.",
+        "I can answer by focusing on the operational emissions and energy sources associated with electric and gasoline vehicles. This approach would emphasize the emissions produced during the use phase of the vehicles. For gasoline vehicles, I would calculate the emissions from burning fossil fuels. For electric vehicles, I would analyze the emissions based on the electricity mix used for charging, considering how the energy grid's reliance on renewable or non-renewable sources affects the overall environmental impact. This strategy highlights the differences in emissions during the vehicles' operational life."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a comparative lifecycle analysis of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach involves examining the entire lifecycle of both types of vehicles, from raw material extraction and manufacturing to usage and end-of-life disposal. I would assess the environmental impacts at each stage, considering factors such as greenhouse gas emissions, resource consumption, and pollution. This comprehensive analysis would provide a detailed view of the overall environmental footprint of each vehicle type."
+    }
+  ],
+  "ibfs_config": {
+    "diversity_level": "low",
+    "branching_factor": 2,
+    "max_depth": 1
+  },
+  "user_config": {
+    "epsilon": 0.2
+  },
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T14:11:52.163671",
+  "similarity_score": 0.9,
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_141119",
+  "simulation_id": 0
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_141119_sim_1.json

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+{
+  "query": "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?",
+  "user_id": "c2791648-8420-4b9d-8353-1576e0896024",
+  "ibfs_id": "36233969-2c31-413c-9d61-d4a40a06f31b",
+  "user_preferred_answer": "Electric vehicles (EVs) offer a promising solution to many of the environmental challenges posed by traditional gasoline vehicles, but they also come with their own set of environmental impacts. A comprehensive comparison between EVs and gasoline vehicles reveals several key aspects:\n\n1. **Greenhouse Gas Emissions**:\n   - **Electric Vehicles**: EVs produce zero emissions at the tailpipe, which significantly reduces air pollution in urban areas. However, the production of electricity used to charge EVs can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, depending on the energy sources. If the electricity is generated from renewable sources such as wind, solar, or hydroelectric power, the overall emissions are much lower.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: These vehicles emit carbon dioxide (CO2) and other harmful pollutants directly from their exhausts. Combustion of gasoline releases significant amounts of CO2, contributing to global warming, and other pollutants that degrade air quality, such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.\n\n2. **Lifecycle Emissions**:\n   - **Electric Vehicles**: Manufacturing EVs, especially the batteries, can be more resource-intensive compared to conventional vehicles, leading to higher emissions upfront. However, over their lifetime, EVs generally have lower emissions when accounting for the electricity used for charging. Improvements in battery technology and recycling, along with cleaner electricity grids, are further reducing the lifecycle emissions of EVs.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: While their manufacturing process involves fewer emissions compared to EVs, the continuous burning of fuel over the vehicle's lifespan results in higher cumulative emissions. Gasoline production, including extraction, refining, and distribution, also contributes to significant emissions.\n\n3. **Resource Use and Environmental Impact**:\n   - **Electric Vehicles**: The production of EV batteries requires minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Mining these minerals can have environmental and social impacts, including habitat destruction and pollution. However, advancements in battery technology and recycling are helping mitigate these issues.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: The extraction and processing of crude oil have substantial environmental impacts, including oil spills, habitat destruction, and pollution. The infrastructure required for oil extraction and transportation also impacts ecosystems.\n\n4. **Energy Efficiency**:\n   - **Electric Vehicles**: EVs are generally more energy-efficient than gasoline vehicles. Electric motors convert a higher percentage of electrical energy from the grid to power at the wheels, compared to the lower efficiency of internal combustion engines.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: Internal combustion engines typically have lower efficiency rates, with much of the energy from gasoline lost as heat. This inefficiency contributes to higher fuel consumption and emissions.\n\n5. **End-of-Life Considerations**:\n   - **Electric Vehicles**: The disposal and recycling of EV batteries pose challenges but also opportunities. Effective recycling can recover valuable materials and reduce environmental impact. Policies and technologies are evolving to improve battery recycling processes.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: Conventional vehicles also require end-of-life processing, but they lack the complex battery disposal issues of EVs. However, they contribute to environmental pollution through the disposal of used oil and other fluids.\n\nIn summary, while EVs are not entirely free of environmental impacts, they generally offer significant benefits over traditional gasoline vehicles, particularly in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality. Their environmental footprint is expected to further decrease as technology advances and energy grids become greener. Transitioning to electric vehicles, coupled with renewable energy adoption and sustainable practices, plays a crucial role in achieving a more sustainable transportation system.",
+  "final_answer": "To compare the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles, we will conduct a comprehensive lifecycle analysis (LCA) that examines each stage of their lifecycle: raw material extraction, manufacturing, usage, and disposal.\n\n### 1. Raw Material Extraction\n\n**Electric Vehicles (EVs):**\n- **Battery Production:** EVs require lithium-ion batteries, which necessitate the extraction of lithium, cobalt, nickel, and other minerals. Mining these materials can have significant environmental impacts, including habitat destruction, water pollution, and high energy consumption.\n- **Other Materials:** EVs also use aluminum and steel, similar to gasoline vehicles, but the production of lightweight materials like aluminum can be energy-intensive.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **Fuel Extraction:** The extraction of crude oil for gasoline involves drilling, which can lead to oil spills, habitat disruption, and greenhouse gas emissions.\n- **Material Use:** Gasoline vehicles are primarily made of steel and aluminum, with less reliance on rare minerals compared to EVs.\n\n### 2. Manufacturing\n\n**Electric Vehicles (EVs):**\n- **Energy Use:** The manufacturing process for EVs, particularly battery production, is energy-intensive and results in higher initial emissions compared to gasoline vehicles.\n- **Emissions:** The production of EVs generally results in higher greenhouse gas emissions upfront due to the energy required for battery production.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **Energy Use:** Manufacturing processes for gasoline vehicles are less energy-intensive than for EVs, resulting in lower initial emissions.\n- **Emissions:** The emissions from manufacturing gasoline vehicles are typically lower than those for EVs, primarily due to the absence of battery production.\n\n### 3. Usage\n\n**Electric Vehicles (EVs):**\n- **Energy Source:** EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions. However, their overall emissions depend on the electricity source. Renewable energy sources (solar, wind) significantly reduce emissions, while coal-based electricity increases them.\n- **Efficiency:** EVs are generally more energy-efficient than gasoline vehicles, converting a higher percentage of energy from the grid to power at the wheels.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **Emissions:** Gasoline vehicles emit carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants during operation, contributing to air pollution and climate change.\n- **Fuel Efficiency:** Gasoline vehicles are less efficient, with internal combustion engines losing a significant amount of energy as heat.\n\n### 4. Disposal\n\n**Electric Vehicles (EVs):**\n- **Battery Recycling:** The disposal of EVs involves challenges related to battery recycling. While recycling technologies are improving, improper disposal can lead to environmental contamination.\n- **Material Recovery:** Many components of EVs can be recycled, but the process is complex and energy-intensive.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **Recyclability:** Gasoline vehicles are relatively straightforward to recycle, with established processes for recovering metals and other materials.\n- **End-of-Life Emissions:** The disposal process for gasoline vehicles is less complex than for EVs, but still involves emissions and energy use.\n\n### Overall Environmental Impact\n\n- **EVs:** While EVs have higher initial environmental impacts due to battery production, they generally have lower emissions during the usage phase, especially when powered by renewable energy. Over their lifetime, EVs tend to have a smaller carbon footprint compared to gasoline vehicles, particularly in regions with clean electricity grids.\n  \n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** Gasoline vehicles have lower initial manufacturing emissions but contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution during their operational phase. Over their lifetime, they typically have a larger environmental footprint compared to EVs.\n\nIn conclusion, while both vehicle types have environmental impacts, EVs offer a more sustainable option in the long term, especially as the electricity grid becomes greener and battery recycling technologies improve.",
+  "strategy_path": [
+    "I can answer by conducting a comprehensive lifecycle analysis for both electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve examining the entire lifespan of each vehicle type, from raw material extraction and manufacturing processes to usage and eventual disposal. By comparing the energy consumption, emissions, and environmental impact at each stage, I can provide a detailed comparison of their overall environmental footprints."
+  ],
+  "history": [
+    {
+      "depth": 0,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a comprehensive lifecycle analysis for both electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve examining the entire lifespan of each vehicle type, from raw material extraction and manufacturing processes to usage and eventual disposal. By comparing the energy consumption, emissions, and environmental impact at each stage, I can provide a detailed comparison of their overall environmental footprints.",
+        "I can answer by focusing on the specific types of emissions and pollutants generated by each vehicle type during operation. This approach would involve analyzing the direct air pollutants and greenhouse gases emitted by gasoline vehicles, while considering the indirect emissions associated with electricity production for EVs. By comparing the emissions profiles and considering factors like the energy sources used to generate electricity, I can offer insights into the operational environmental impacts of each vehicle type."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a comprehensive lifecycle analysis for both electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve examining the entire lifespan of each vehicle type, from raw material extraction and manufacturing processes to usage and eventual disposal. By comparing the energy consumption, emissions, and environmental impact at each stage, I can provide a detailed comparison of their overall environmental footprints."
+    }
+  ],
+  "ibfs_config": {
+    "diversity_level": "low",
+    "branching_factor": 2,
+    "max_depth": 1
+  },
+  "user_config": {
+    "epsilon": 0.2
+  },
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T14:11:53.833862",
+  "similarity_score": 0.9,
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_141119",
+  "simulation_id": 1
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_141119_sim_10.json

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+{
+  "query": "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?",
+  "user_id": "5a032899-3a4f-47eb-9a31-ae205f4d31d3",
+  "ibfs_id": "e1cc7551-6647-43fd-b175-21afe42c589a",
+  "user_preferred_answer": "Electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles have distinct environmental impacts across their life cycles, from manufacturing to operation and eventual disposal. Here's a detailed comparison:\n\n1. **Manufacturing Impact**:\n   - **Electric Vehicles**: The production of EVs, particularly the battery manufacturing process, tends to have a significant environmental footprint. Mining and processing the raw materials needed for lithium-ion batteries, such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, can result in habitat destruction, water pollution, and carbon emissions. However, advancements in battery recycling and the development of more sustainable mining practices are ongoing to mitigate these effects.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: Traditional vehicles also have environmental costs during manufacturing, mainly due to steel and aluminum production. However, they generally require fewer rare metals compared to EVs. The overall carbon footprint during manufacturing is usually lower than that of EVs, but the difference diminishes over the vehicle's lifetime.\n\n2. **Operational Impact**:\n   - **Electric Vehicles**: EVs are far cleaner during operation, producing zero tailpipe emissions. This significantly reduces urban air pollution, which is linked to health issues such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The overall environmental benefit of EVs largely depends on the electricity source used for charging. If the electricity comes from renewable sources like wind or solar, the carbon footprint is dramatically reduced compared to fossil fuels.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: These vehicles emit carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants during operation, contributing substantially to air pollution and climate change. The combustion of gasoline leads to significant greenhouse gas emissions, which are a major driver of global warming.\n\n3. **Energy Efficiency**:\n   - **Electric Vehicles**: EVs are generally more energy-efficient than gasoline vehicles. Internal combustion engines lose a lot of energy as heat, while electric motors convert a higher percentage of electrical energy from the grid to power the wheels.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: Less efficient in converting stored energy into movement, leading to higher fuel consumption and emissions per mile traveled.\n\n4. **Lifecycle Emissions**:\n   - **Electric Vehicles**: Over their entire lifecycle, EVs typically have lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to gasoline vehicles, even when accounting for battery production. As the electricity grid becomes greener, the lifecycle emissions of EVs will continue to decline.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: The lifecycle emissions remain high due to continued reliance on fossil fuels during operation.\n\n5. **Waste and Recycling**:\n   - **Electric Vehicles**: The disposal and recycling of EV batteries pose environmental challenges. However, the industry is making strides in battery recycling technologies, which can recover valuable materials and reduce waste.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: While traditional vehicles are also recycled, they do not face the same challenges associated with battery disposal.\n\nIn conclusion, while electric vehicles are not without their environmental impacts, particularly in manufacturing, they offer significant advantages over gasoline vehicles, particularly in terms of reducing operational emissions and improving urban air quality. As the renewable energy sector grows and battery technologies advance, the environmental benefits of EVs are expected to increase further, making them a more sustainable choice for the future.",
+  "final_answer": "To conduct a regional lifecycle analysis comparing the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles, we need to consider several factors that vary by geographic area. These include the energy grid mix, climate conditions, and regional policies, all of which significantly influence the environmental performance of each vehicle type. Below, I will provide a comparison for three distinct regions: California (USA), Germany, and China, highlighting how these factors affect the lifecycle emissions and overall environmental impact of EVs versus gasoline vehicles.\n\n### California, USA\n\n**Energy Grid Mix:**\n- California's energy grid is relatively clean, with a significant portion of electricity coming from renewable sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. In 2022, about 33% of California's electricity was generated from renewable sources, with natural gas also playing a role.\n\n**Climate Conditions:**\n- The mild climate in California reduces the energy needed for heating and cooling, which can affect the energy efficiency of both EVs and gasoline vehicles.\n\n**Regional Policies:**\n- California has stringent emissions regulations and incentives for EV adoption, including rebates and access to carpool lanes.\n\n**Lifecycle Analysis:**\n- **EVs:** In California, the cleaner energy grid means that the lifecycle emissions of EVs are significantly lower than in regions with a coal-heavy grid. The production phase of EVs, particularly battery manufacturing, still has a high environmental impact, but this is offset by the low emissions during the use phase.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** These vehicles produce higher emissions during the use phase due to the combustion of fossil fuels. California's strict emissions standards help reduce the impact somewhat, but gasoline vehicles still have a higher overall lifecycle emissions profile compared to EVs in this region.\n\n### Germany\n\n**Energy Grid Mix:**\n- Germany's energy grid is in transition, with a mix of renewable energy (wind and solar), coal, and natural gas. In 2022, approximately 42% of the electricity came from renewables, but coal still plays a significant role.\n\n**Climate Conditions:**\n- Germany experiences a temperate climate, which can influence vehicle efficiency, especially in winter months when heating is required.\n\n**Regional Policies:**\n- Germany has strong policies promoting EVs, including subsidies and a robust charging infrastructure.\n\n**Lifecycle Analysis:**\n- **EVs:** The environmental impact of EVs in Germany is moderate due to the mixed energy grid. While the use phase emissions are lower than gasoline vehicles, the reliance on coal for electricity generation increases the lifecycle emissions compared to regions with cleaner grids.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** These vehicles have higher emissions during the use phase. Germany's policies aim to reduce reliance on gasoline vehicles, but their lifecycle emissions remain higher than those of EVs, especially as the grid continues to decarbonize.\n\n### China\n\n**Energy Grid Mix:**\n- China's energy grid is heavily reliant on coal, although there is a growing share of renewables. As of 2022, coal accounted for about 57% of electricity generation, with renewables making up around 28%.\n\n**Climate Conditions:**\n- China has diverse climate conditions, from cold northern regions to tropical southern areas, affecting vehicle efficiency and energy use.\n\n**Regional Policies:**\n- China is aggressively promoting EV adoption through subsidies, mandates, and investments in charging infrastructure.\n\n**Lifecycle Analysis:**\n- **EVs:** In China, the high reliance on coal for electricity generation means that the lifecycle emissions of EVs are higher than in regions with cleaner grids. However, the rapid expansion of renewable energy is expected to improve this over time.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** These vehicles have high emissions during the use phase, and given the size of the market, their overall environmental impact is substantial. EVs still offer a reduction in urban air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions compared to gasoline vehicles, despite the coal-heavy grid.\n\n### Conclusion\n\nThe environmental impacts of EVs compared to traditional gasoline vehicles vary significantly by region due to differences in energy grid composition, climate conditions, and regional policies. In regions like California with a cleaner energy grid, EVs offer substantial environmental benefits over gasoline vehicles. In contrast, in regions like China with a coal-heavy grid, the benefits are less pronounced but still present, especially as the grid becomes cleaner. Germany represents a transitional case where the benefits of EVs are growing as the energy grid shifts towards renewables. Overall, regional lifecycle analysis highlights the importance of local context in assessing the environmental impacts of vehicle types.",
+  "strategy_path": [
+    "I can answer by conducting a lifecycle analysis that compares the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach involves examining each stage of a vehicle's lifecycle, including raw material extraction, manufacturing processes, vehicle operation, and end-of-life disposal. I would gather data on emissions, energy consumption, and resource use for both types of vehicles, and then provide a comprehensive comparison to highlight the differences in their overall environmental footprints.",
+    "I can answer by conducting a regional lifecycle analysis that focuses on the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles within specific geographic areas. This approach would examine how factors like the local energy grid mix, climate conditions, and regional policies influence the environmental performance of each vehicle type. By analyzing data on emissions, energy consumption, and resource use specific to various regions, I can provide a nuanced comparison that highlights how the environmental impacts of these vehicles vary depending on the geographic context."
+  ],
+  "history": [
+    {
+      "depth": 0,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a lifecycle analysis that compares the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach involves examining each stage of a vehicle's lifecycle, including raw material extraction, manufacturing processes, vehicle operation, and end-of-life disposal. I would gather data on emissions, energy consumption, and resource use for both types of vehicles, and then provide a comprehensive comparison to highlight the differences in their overall environmental footprints.",
+        "I can answer by summarizing existing scientific research and reports on the topic, focusing on key areas such as greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and resource depletion. I would look at studies conducted by environmental organizations, universities, and governmental agencies that have directly compared the impacts of EVs and gasoline vehicles. This approach would allow me to present a synthesis of expert opinions and findings, providing a balanced view of the environmental pros and cons associated with each vehicle type."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a lifecycle analysis that compares the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach involves examining each stage of a vehicle's lifecycle, including raw material extraction, manufacturing processes, vehicle operation, and end-of-life disposal. I would gather data on emissions, energy consumption, and resource use for both types of vehicles, and then provide a comprehensive comparison to highlight the differences in their overall environmental footprints."
+    },
+    {
+      "depth": 1,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a regional lifecycle analysis that focuses on the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles within specific geographic areas. This approach would examine how factors like the local energy grid mix, climate conditions, and regional policies influence the environmental performance of each vehicle type. By analyzing data on emissions, energy consumption, and resource use specific to various regions, I can provide a nuanced comparison that highlights how the environmental impacts of these vehicles vary depending on the geographic context.",
+        "I can answer by conducting a temporal lifecycle analysis that looks at how the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles evolve over time. This approach would involve examining changes in technology, energy sources, and regulatory landscapes that affect each stage of a vehicle's lifecycle, from manufacturing to disposal. By gathering data on historical and projected trends in emissions, energy consumption, and resource use, I can provide a dynamic comparison that illustrates how the environmental footprints of these vehicles might change in the future."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a regional lifecycle analysis that focuses on the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles within specific geographic areas. This approach would examine how factors like the local energy grid mix, climate conditions, and regional policies influence the environmental performance of each vehicle type. By analyzing data on emissions, energy consumption, and resource use specific to various regions, I can provide a nuanced comparison that highlights how the environmental impacts of these vehicles vary depending on the geographic context."
+    }
+  ],
+  "ibfs_config": {
+    "diversity_level": "medium",
+    "branching_factor": 2,
+    "max_depth": 2
+  },
+  "user_config": {
+    "epsilon": 0.2
+  },
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T14:14:42.131102",
+  "similarity_score": 0.6,
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_141119",
+  "simulation_id": 10
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_141119_sim_11.json

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+{
+  "query": "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?",
+  "user_id": "9992ba20-254a-49bd-b21e-5d633c25a8bc",
+  "ibfs_id": "040bf6f6-e505-44ef-a7b9-846fc8e3fb60",
+  "user_preferred_answer": "Electric vehicles (EVs) are often promoted as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional gasoline vehicles, and there is substantial evidence to support this claim, particularly when considering long-term impacts. However, the environmental impacts of EVs can be complex and multifaceted. Here\u2019s a detailed comparison of the environmental impacts of EVs compared to gasoline vehicles:\n\n1. **Greenhouse Gas Emissions:**\n   - **EVs:** Over their lifecycle, EVs generally produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline vehicles. While the manufacturing process, particularly battery production, is energy-intensive and can result in higher initial emissions, these are offset by the reduced emissions during operation. EVs have zero tailpipe emissions, and when powered by renewable energy sources, their overall emissions can be significantly lower.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles:** These vehicles emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases directly from the tailpipe, contributing significantly to climate change. Even with advancements in fuel efficiency, the emissions from gasoline combustion are a major environmental concern.\n\n2. **Air Quality:**\n   - **EVs:** By eliminating tailpipe emissions, EVs help improve air quality, particularly in urban areas. They significantly reduce pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter, which are harmful to human health and contribute to smog and acid rain.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles:** These vehicles emit a variety of harmful pollutants, including NOx, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter, which can degrade air quality and pose health risks.\n\n3. **Resource Extraction and Manufacturing:**\n   - **EVs:** The production of EVs, especially their batteries, requires the extraction of minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. This can have significant environmental impacts, including habitat destruction and water pollution. However, advancements in battery technology and recycling are helping to mitigate these issues.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles:** The extraction and refinement of oil for gasoline is also resource-intensive and environmentally damaging. Oil drilling and spills can cause significant ecological harm, and refining processes emit pollutants.\n\n4. **Energy Efficiency:**\n   - **EVs:** Electric motors are more energy-efficient than internal combustion engines. EVs convert a higher percentage of electrical energy from the grid to power at the wheels.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles:** Internal combustion engines are less efficient, with much of the energy from gasoline lost as heat. This inherent inefficiency means higher fuel consumption and increased emissions per mile driven.\n\n5. **End-of-Life Considerations:**\n   - **EVs:** Battery disposal and recycling are critical issues. However, as EV adoption grows, so does the development of battery recycling technologies, which aim to recover valuable materials and mitigate environmental impacts.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles:** Conventional vehicles also require disposal of hazardous materials like motor oil and coolant. The recycling process for traditional vehicles is well-established, but it does not negate the environmental impact of their operation.\n\n6. **Infrastructure and Energy Source:**\n   - **EVs:** The environmental benefits of EVs can vary depending on the energy mix of the grid. In regions where electricity is generated from renewable sources, the benefits are maximized. However, in areas relying heavily on coal, the benefits are reduced but still tend to be better than gasoline vehicles.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles:** These rely on a vast infrastructure for fuel extraction, refinement, and distribution, which has its own environmental footprint.\n\nIn summary, while both EVs and gasoline vehicles have environmental impacts, EVs generally offer significant advantages in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality, especially as the energy grid becomes cleaner. Continued advancements in technology and infrastructure are likely to further enhance the environmental benefits of electric vehicles.",
+  "final_answer": "To assess the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) compared to traditional gasoline vehicles using a geographically-tailored life cycle assessment (LCA), we need to consider several regional factors that influence the overall environmental footprint of each vehicle type. These factors include the composition of the electricity grid used for charging EVs, the local availability and sourcing of raw materials, and regional end-of-life processing capabilities. Let's examine these aspects across three different regions: the United States, Europe, and China.\n\n### United States\n\n1. **Electricity Grid Composition:**\n   - The U.S. grid is diverse, with significant regional variation. Some states like California and New York have a higher proportion of renewable energy (solar, wind), while others rely more on coal and natural gas.\n   - In states with cleaner grids, EVs have a lower carbon footprint compared to gasoline vehicles due to reduced emissions from electricity generation.\n\n2. **Raw Materials:**\n   - The U.S. has some domestic lithium and cobalt resources, but much of the raw materials for batteries are imported, affecting the environmental impact due to transportation emissions.\n   - Recycling facilities are developing, but the infrastructure is not yet widespread.\n\n3. **End-of-Life Processing:**\n   - The U.S. has established recycling programs for traditional vehicles, but EV battery recycling is still emerging, which can lead to higher environmental impacts if not managed properly.\n\n### Europe\n\n1. **Electricity Grid Composition:**\n   - Europe has a relatively clean grid, with a significant share of renewable energy sources like wind, hydro, and solar, especially in countries like Germany and Denmark.\n   - This results in a lower carbon footprint for EVs compared to gasoline vehicles.\n\n2. **Raw Materials:**\n   - Europe relies heavily on imports for battery materials, but there is a strong focus on developing sustainable supply chains and recycling initiatives.\n   - The European Union has stringent regulations on sourcing and recycling, which can mitigate some environmental impacts.\n\n3. **End-of-Life Processing:**\n   - Europe has advanced recycling capabilities and strict regulations for vehicle disposal, including EV batteries, which helps reduce the environmental impact.\n\n### China\n\n1. **Electricity Grid Composition:**\n   - China's grid is heavily reliant on coal, although there is a growing investment in renewables.\n   - The high coal dependency means that the carbon footprint of EVs can be higher compared to regions with cleaner grids, although still generally lower than gasoline vehicles due to efficiency gains.\n\n2. **Raw Materials:**\n   - China is a major producer of lithium and other battery materials, reducing transportation emissions and environmental impact associated with imports.\n   - Local sourcing helps lower the overall environmental footprint of EV production.\n\n3. **End-of-Life Processing:**\n   - China is rapidly developing its recycling infrastructure, with government policies encouraging the recycling of EV batteries.\n   - However, the current capabilities may not fully mitigate the environmental impacts yet.\n\n### Conclusion\n\nThe environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles vary significantly by region due to differences in electricity grid composition, raw material sourcing, and end-of-life processing capabilities. In regions with cleaner electricity grids and advanced recycling infrastructure, such as Europe, EVs tend to have a significantly lower environmental impact than gasoline vehicles. In contrast, regions with coal-dependent grids, like parts of China, may see less pronounced benefits, although EVs generally still offer some environmental advantages. The U.S. presents a mixed scenario, with regional differences playing a crucial role in determining the overall environmental benefits of EVs.",
+  "strategy_path": [
+    "I can answer by conducting a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This involves examining the environmental impacts at each stage of a vehicle's life\u2014from raw material extraction, manufacturing, and operation to end-of-life disposal. This method provides a comprehensive view of the overall environmental footprint, including CO",
+    "I can answer by conducting a geographically-tailored life cycle assessment (LCA) that examines how the environmental impacts of electric and traditional gasoline vehicles vary depending on the region. This approach would consider regional differences in electricity grid composition for EV charging, local availability of raw materials, and regional end-of-life processing capabilities, offering insights into how location influences the overall environmental footprint of each vehicle type."
+  ],
+  "history": [
+    {
+      "depth": 0,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This involves examining the environmental impacts at each stage of a vehicle's life\u2014from raw material extraction, manufacturing, and operation to end-of-life disposal. This method provides a comprehensive view of the overall environmental footprint, including CO",
+        "I can answer by analyzing the operational impact differences between electric vehicles and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach focuses on the emissions and environmental effects during the vehicle's use phase, particularly comparing the greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency. It also considers the source of electricity used to charge EVs, as this can significantly influence their environmental impact. This method provides insights into the direct environmental benefits or drawbacks of each vehicle type during their active use."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This involves examining the environmental impacts at each stage of a vehicle's life\u2014from raw material extraction, manufacturing, and operation to end-of-life disposal. This method provides a comprehensive view of the overall environmental footprint, including CO"
+    },
+    {
+      "depth": 1,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by focusing the life cycle assessment (LCA) specifically on the manufacturing phase of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach would delve deeply into the extraction and processing of raw materials, such as lithium for EV batteries and steel for gasoline engines, considering energy usage, emissions, and waste generated during this stage to reveal which type of vehicle has a more sustainable production process.",
+        "I can answer by conducting a geographically-tailored life cycle assessment (LCA) that examines how the environmental impacts of electric and traditional gasoline vehicles vary depending on the region. This approach would consider regional differences in electricity grid composition for EV charging, local availability of raw materials, and regional end-of-life processing capabilities, offering insights into how location influences the overall environmental footprint of each vehicle type."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 1,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a geographically-tailored life cycle assessment (LCA) that examines how the environmental impacts of electric and traditional gasoline vehicles vary depending on the region. This approach would consider regional differences in electricity grid composition for EV charging, local availability of raw materials, and regional end-of-life processing capabilities, offering insights into how location influences the overall environmental footprint of each vehicle type."
+    }
+  ],
+  "ibfs_config": {
+    "diversity_level": "medium",
+    "branching_factor": 2,
+    "max_depth": 2
+  },
+  "user_config": {
+    "epsilon": 0.2
+  },
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T14:14:55.057551",
+  "similarity_score": 0.7,
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_141119",
+  "simulation_id": 11
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_141119_sim_12.json

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+{
+  "query": "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?",
+  "user_id": "11e76d50-bc2e-42e9-8d28-d68f76ef4719",
+  "ibfs_id": "b6d36c94-b9d0-4490-9cdd-2215801e9973",
+  "user_preferred_answer": "Electric vehicles (EVs) are often heralded as a more environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional gasoline vehicles, and for good reasons. However, the environmental impacts of EVs compared to gasoline vehicles are nuanced and depend on several factors, including the source of electricity, battery production, and overall lifecycle emissions.\n\n1. **Emissions During Operation**: \n   EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, which significantly reduces air pollution in urban areas. This is a stark contrast to gasoline vehicles, which emit carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulates that contribute to air pollution and climate change. The reduction in local air pollutants from EVs can lead to improved public health outcomes and a decrease in smog and respiratory problems.\n\n2. **Energy Source for Electricity**:\n   The environmental benefits of EVs largely depend on the energy mix used to generate electricity. If the electricity comes from renewable sources like wind, solar, or hydroelectric power, the overall emissions from EVs can be significantly lower than gasoline vehicles. However, if the electricity is primarily generated from coal or other fossil fuels, the environmental advantage diminishes, although EVs are still generally cleaner overall due to higher efficiency in energy use.\n\n3. **Lifecycle Emissions**:\n   When considering the full lifecycle, including manufacturing, operation, and disposal, EVs typically have a lower carbon footprint than gasoline vehicles. The production of EVs, particularly the batteries, is energy-intensive and can result in higher upfront emissions. However, these emissions are often offset by the efficiency and cleaner operation of EVs over their lifespan.\n\n4. **Battery Production and Recycling**:\n   The production of lithium-ion batteries used in EVs involves mining lithium, cobalt, and other metals, which can have significant environmental impacts, such as habitat destruction and water pollution. Nonetheless, advancements in battery technology and recycling processes are helping to mitigate these impacts. Effective recycling can recover valuable materials and reduce the demand for new raw materials.\n\n5. **Resource Use and Sustainability**:\n   As EV adoption grows, there is an increasing focus on sustainable sourcing of materials and improving battery technologies to reduce reliance on scarce resources. Efforts are underway to develop more sustainable battery chemistries and to enhance the efficiency of resource use.\n\n6. **Long-Term Environmental Benefits**:\n   Over the long term, the transition to EVs is expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels, especially as the electricity grid becomes greener. This shift is essential for meeting global climate targets and reducing the impacts of climate change.\n\nIn conclusion, while EVs are not without environmental challenges, they offer a more sustainable alternative to gasoline vehicles, particularly as the energy grid becomes cleaner and battery technologies improve. The shift to electric mobility is a key component of reducing transportation-related emissions and achieving a more sustainable future.",
+  "final_answer": "To evaluate the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) compared to traditional gasoline vehicles, we can conduct a lifecycle analysis that examines each stage of their lifecycle: extraction of raw materials, manufacturing, usage, and end-of-life disposal.\n\n### 1. Extraction of Raw Materials\n\n**Electric Vehicles (EVs):**\n- **Battery Production:** EVs require lithium-ion batteries, which involve the extraction of lithium, cobalt, nickel, and other metals. Mining these materials can lead to significant environmental degradation, including habitat destruction, water pollution, and high energy consumption.\n- **Rare Earth Elements:** EVs often use rare earth elements in their motors, which are also environmentally intensive to extract.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **Oil Extraction:** The primary raw material is crude oil, which must be extracted, transported, and refined. Oil extraction can lead to oil spills, habitat destruction, and significant greenhouse gas emissions.\n- **Metals and Plastics:** Gasoline vehicles also require steel, aluminum, and plastics, which involve mining and refining processes that have environmental impacts.\n\n### 2. Manufacturing\n\n**Electric Vehicles (EVs):**\n- **Energy-Intensive Production:** The production of EVs, particularly the battery, is energy-intensive and results in higher initial carbon emissions compared to gasoline vehicles.\n- **Material Processing:** The processing of battery materials contributes to air and water pollution.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **Traditional Manufacturing:** The manufacturing process for gasoline vehicles is well-established and generally less energy-intensive than EVs, but still involves significant emissions from steel and aluminum production.\n\n### 3. Usage\n\n**Electric Vehicles (EVs):**\n- **Zero Tailpipe Emissions:** EVs produce no tailpipe emissions, which significantly reduces air pollution in urban areas.\n- **Electricity Source:** The environmental impact during usage depends on the electricity source. If powered by renewable energy, EVs have a much lower carbon footprint. However, if the electricity comes from coal or natural gas, the benefits are reduced.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **Combustion Emissions:** Gasoline vehicles emit carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, contributing to air pollution and climate change.\n- **Fuel Efficiency:** Improvements in fuel efficiency can reduce emissions, but gasoline vehicles inherently produce more emissions than EVs during operation.\n\n### 4. End-of-Life Disposal\n\n**Electric Vehicles (EVs):**\n- **Battery Recycling:** The disposal and recycling of batteries pose environmental challenges. While recycling can recover valuable materials, improper disposal can lead to toxic pollution.\n- **Vehicle Recycling:** Like gasoline vehicles, the rest of the EV can be recycled, but the process is complicated by the presence of electronic components.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **Recycling:** Gasoline vehicles are largely recyclable, with established systems for recycling metals and other materials.\n- **Waste Oil and Fluids:** Disposal of engine oil and other fluids can pose environmental risks if not managed properly.\n\n### Conclusion\n\nElectric vehicles generally offer environmental benefits over traditional gasoline vehicles, particularly in reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions during the usage phase. However, they also present unique environmental challenges, especially in the extraction of raw materials and battery disposal. The overall environmental impact of EVs can be significantly reduced if the electricity used for charging comes from renewable sources and if effective recycling systems for batteries are developed. On the other hand, gasoline vehicles have a more straightforward lifecycle but contribute more directly to air pollution and climate change during their operational phase.",
+  "strategy_path": [
+    "I can answer by conducting a lifecycle analysis that evaluates the environmental impacts of both electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles at each stage of their lifecycle. This includes the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing, usage, and end-of-life disposal. This approach will help highlight the various environmental costs associated with both types of vehicles."
+  ],
+  "history": [
+    {
+      "depth": 0,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a lifecycle analysis that evaluates the environmental impacts of both electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles at each stage of their lifecycle. This includes the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing, usage, and end-of-life disposal. This approach will help highlight the various environmental costs associated with both types of vehicles.",
+        "I can answer by examining the emissions and pollutants associated with both vehicle types. This involves comparing the tailpipe emissions of traditional gasoline vehicles with the emissions generated from electricity production for EVs, considering different energy sources like coal, natural gas, and renewables. This will provide insight into the air quality impacts and greenhouse gas contributions from each vehicle.",
+        "I can answer by analyzing the resource and energy consumption required to produce electric and gasoline vehicles. This includes a focus on the mining and processing of materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel for EV batteries, and the energy-intensive processes involved in refining gasoline. This approach will consider the environmental footprint of resource extraction and manufacturing processes.",
+        "I can answer by evaluating the potential for each vehicle type to support a sustainable transportation system in the future. This involves looking at the scalability of electric vehicle infrastructure, such as charging stations and grid capacity, versus the sustainability challenges faced by continued reliance on fossil fuels. This future-oriented analysis will consider long-term environmental resilience and adaptability."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a lifecycle analysis that evaluates the environmental impacts of both electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles at each stage of their lifecycle. This includes the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing, usage, and end-of-life disposal. This approach will help highlight the various environmental costs associated with both types of vehicles."
+    }
+  ],
+  "ibfs_config": {
+    "diversity_level": "medium",
+    "branching_factor": 4,
+    "max_depth": 1
+  },
+  "user_config": {
+    "epsilon": 0.2
+  },
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T14:15:10.194143",
+  "similarity_score": 0.9,
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_141119",
+  "simulation_id": 12
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_141119_sim_13.json

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+{
+  "query": "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?",
+  "user_id": "ca79664e-1541-4288-826f-a5724923a301",
+  "ibfs_id": "3e2382bb-81e5-44c7-a5ef-2aa97030f528",
+  "user_preferred_answer": "Electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles impact the environment in distinct ways, and understanding these differences is crucial for assessing their overall sustainability and environmental footprint.\n\n**1. Emissions During Use:**\n- **Electric Vehicles:** EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, which is a significant advantage over gasoline vehicles. This means they do not emit carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), or particulate matter during operation, contributing to improved air quality, especially in urban areas.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** In contrast, traditional gasoline vehicles emit significant amounts of CO2, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change, along with NOx and particulates that can harm human health and the environment.\n\n**2. Energy Source and Lifecycle Emissions:**\n- **Electric Vehicles:** The environmental impact of EVs largely depends on the energy mix used for electricity generation. If the electricity comes from renewable sources like wind, solar, or hydroelectric power, the overall emissions are much lower compared to when electricity is generated from fossil fuels. However, even with a less green energy mix, EVs often have a smaller carbon footprint over their entire lifecycle compared to gasoline vehicles.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** The emissions from gasoline vehicles are directly linked to fossil fuel combustion. This not only contributes to air pollution but also involves significant CO2 emissions during fuel extraction, refining, and transportation.\n\n**3. Manufacturing and Raw Materials:**\n- **Electric Vehicles:** EVs require lithium-ion batteries, which involve mining for lithium, cobalt, nickel, and other materials. This mining process can have significant environmental and social impacts, including habitat destruction, water pollution, and ethical concerns regarding labor practices. However, advances in battery recycling and second-life applications are helping mitigate these impacts.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** While gasoline vehicles do not require large batteries, their production still involves substantial resource extraction and energy use, but the environmental impacts in terms of raw material extraction are generally less compared to the battery production for EVs.\n\n**4. End-of-Life Considerations:**\n- **Electric Vehicles:** Battery disposal and recycling are critical issues. Developing effective recycling technology is essential to minimize toxic waste and recover valuable materials, thereby reducing the environmental impact of EVs.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** These vehicles also require proper disposal and recycling, but they do not have the same battery-specific issues as EVs. However, the engines and other components still need to be managed to prevent environmental harm.\n\n**5. Overall Environmental Impact:**\n- **Electric Vehicles:** Generally, EVs are considered to have a lower environmental impact over their lifecycle compared to gasoline vehicles, especially as the electricity grid becomes greener and battery technology improves.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** These vehicles remain a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, and their environmental impact is more challenging to mitigate given the reliance on fossil fuels.\n\nIn conclusion, while both EVs and gasoline vehicles have environmental impacts, EVs offer a pathway to significantly reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, particularly as renewable energy sources become more prevalent and battery technologies advance. Policymakers, industry stakeholders, and consumers are increasingly recognizing these advantages, driving the global shift towards electrification in transportation.",
+  "final_answer": "To compare the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles, we can analyze their lifecycle emissions, which encompass the manufacturing, operation, and disposal stages. This comprehensive approach provides a clearer picture of the total carbon footprint associated with each type of vehicle.\n\n### 1. Manufacturing Stage\n\n**Electric Vehicles:**\n- **Battery Production:** The production of EVs, particularly the lithium-ion batteries, is energy-intensive and contributes significantly to the initial carbon footprint. The extraction and processing of raw materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel are resource-intensive and can have substantial environmental impacts.\n- **Vehicle Assembly:** The assembly of EVs is similar to that of gasoline vehicles, but the additional complexity of battery integration can increase emissions slightly.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **Engine and Fuel System Production:** Manufacturing internal combustion engines and fuel systems also involves significant emissions, but generally less than the battery production for EVs.\n- **Vehicle Assembly:** Similar to EVs, the assembly process contributes to the carbon footprint, but without the added impact of battery production.\n\n### 2. Operation Stage\n\n**Electric Vehicles:**\n- **Electricity Generation:** The emissions during the operation of EVs depend heavily on the energy mix used to generate electricity. In regions where coal is a major energy source, the operational emissions can be higher. However, as the grid becomes greener with more renewable energy, the operational emissions of EVs decrease significantly.\n- **Efficiency:** EVs are generally more efficient than gasoline vehicles, converting a higher percentage of energy from the grid into vehicle movement.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **Fuel Combustion:** Gasoline vehicles emit carbon dioxide and other pollutants directly from the tailpipe. These emissions are consistent regardless of the energy grid and are a significant source of greenhouse gases.\n- **Fuel Efficiency:** While improvements in fuel efficiency have been made, gasoline vehicles are inherently less efficient than EVs due to energy losses in combustion.\n\n### 3. Disposal Stage\n\n**Electric Vehicles:**\n- **Battery Recycling:** The disposal and recycling of batteries present environmental challenges. However, advancements in recycling technologies are improving the recovery of valuable materials, reducing the environmental impact.\n- **Vehicle Recycling:** Similar to gasoline vehicles, the recycling of the vehicle body and components is standard, though the presence of batteries adds complexity.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **Vehicle Recycling:** The recycling process is well-established, with most materials being recoverable. However, the environmental impact of disposing of engine components and fluids is notable.\n\n### Lifecycle Emissions Comparison\n\nSeveral studies have conducted lifecycle assessments (LCAs) to compare the total carbon footprint of EVs and gasoline vehicles. These studies generally find that:\n\n- **Initial Emissions:** EVs have higher emissions during the manufacturing stage, primarily due to battery production.\n- **Operational Emissions:** EVs typically have lower emissions during the operational stage, especially as the grid becomes cleaner.\n- **Overall Lifecycle Emissions:** Over the vehicle's lifetime, EVs tend to have lower total emissions compared to gasoline vehicles, particularly in regions with a significant share of renewable energy in the electricity mix.\n\nIn conclusion, while EVs have a higher initial carbon footprint due to battery production, their lower operational emissions often result in a smaller overall carbon footprint over their lifecycle compared to traditional gasoline vehicles. This advantage is expected to grow as battery technologies improve and the electricity grid becomes increasingly powered by renewable sources.",
+  "strategy_path": [
+    "I can answer by comparing the lifecycle emissions of both electric and gasoline vehicles, which includes manufacturing, operation, and disposal stages. This approach will involve analyzing studies that assess the total carbon footprint from the production of the vehicles, the extraction and processing of raw materials, the emissions during vehicle use, and the environmental costs of vehicle disposal or recycling."
+  ],
+  "history": [
+    {
+      "depth": 0,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by comparing the lifecycle emissions of both electric and gasoline vehicles, which includes manufacturing, operation, and disposal stages. This approach will involve analyzing studies that assess the total carbon footprint from the production of the vehicles, the extraction and processing of raw materials, the emissions during vehicle use, and the environmental costs of vehicle disposal or recycling.",
+        "I can answer by examining the energy sources used to power electric vehicles versus gasoline vehicles. This involves evaluating the environmental impact of generating electricity (considering coal, natural gas, renewables, etc.) compared to the extraction, refining, and burning of gasoline. This comparison can highlight how the source of electricity influences the overall environmental benefits of electric vehicles.",
+        "I can answer by considering the ecological impact of resource extraction for both types of vehicles. For electric vehicles, this means focusing on the mining of lithium, cobalt, and other materials used in batteries, while for gasoline vehicles, it involves looking at the extraction and refining of crude oil. Evaluating the effects of these processes on ecosystems, biodiversity, and human communities can offer insights into their environmental impacts.",
+        "I can answer by exploring policy and infrastructure impacts, such as government incentives for electric vehicles, the development of charging infrastructure, and the role of public transportation integration. This approach assesses how these factors influence the environmental footprint of electric vehicles compared to gasoline vehicles, including potential reductions in emissions due to shifts in transportation habits and energy grid improvements."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by comparing the lifecycle emissions of both electric and gasoline vehicles, which includes manufacturing, operation, and disposal stages. This approach will involve analyzing studies that assess the total carbon footprint from the production of the vehicles, the extraction and processing of raw materials, the emissions during vehicle use, and the environmental costs of vehicle disposal or recycling."
+    }
+  ],
+  "ibfs_config": {
+    "diversity_level": "medium",
+    "branching_factor": 4,
+    "max_depth": 1
+  },
+  "user_config": {
+    "epsilon": 0.2
+  },
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T14:15:29.255223",
+  "similarity_score": 0.9,
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_141119",
+  "simulation_id": 13
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_141119_sim_14.json

@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+{
+  "query": "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?",
+  "user_id": "23d4bc09-b1f9-4ffe-afc0-40525c1c502a",
+  "ibfs_id": "7f60bb0c-59d6-45ea-8191-9aba2e6de262",
+  "user_preferred_answer": "Electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles each have distinct environmental impacts that can be evaluated across various stages of their lifecycle, from production to end-of-life. Here is a detailed comparison:\n\n1. **Production Impact**:\n   - **Electric Vehicles**: The production of EVs, particularly the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries, tends to have a higher environmental footprint compared to gasoline vehicles. Mining for lithium, cobalt, and nickel\u2014key components of these batteries\u2014can lead to habitat destruction, water pollution, and significant energy consumption. However, as technology advances, the efficiency of battery production is improving, and efforts are being made to recycle battery materials to mitigate these impacts.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: The production of traditional vehicles is less energy-intensive due to the mature nature of the industry, but it still involves considerable resource extraction and energy use. The environmental impact is spread more evenly across the vehicle's lifecycle compared to EVs, which have a higher initial production impact.\n\n2. **Operational Impact**:\n   - **Electric Vehicles**: During operation, EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, which significantly reduces air pollution in urban areas. The overall environmental benefit depends on the electricity source used to charge them. If the electricity comes from renewable sources, the emissions are greatly reduced. However, if the grid is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, this advantage diminishes. As the global energy grid becomes cleaner, the operational benefits of EVs will continue to increase.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: Traditional vehicles emit carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants that contribute to air pollution and climate change. These emissions are a significant environmental concern, especially in densely populated regions.\n\n3. **Lifecycle Emissions**:\n   - **Electric Vehicles**: Despite the higher initial production emissions, studies show that EVs typically have a lower overall carbon footprint over their lifetime compared to gasoline vehicles, especially when charged from a clean energy grid. The reduction in emissions during the operational phase helps offset the initial production impact.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: Over their lifecycle, these vehicles contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to the combustion of fossil fuels during operation. This impact is consistent regardless of the region, as long as they rely on gasoline.\n\n4. **End-of-Life Impact**:\n   - **Electric Vehicles**: Battery disposal and recycling are critical issues. Improper disposal can lead to environmental contamination. However, advancements in battery recycling technologies are promising, aiming to recover valuable materials and reduce waste.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: These vehicles have well-established recycling processes for metals and other components, though the disposal of certain materials can still pose environmental challenges.\n\n5. **Resource Dependency**:\n   - **Electric Vehicles**: The dependency on specific materials for batteries (like lithium, cobalt, and nickel) can lead to geopolitical and ethical concerns, including labor practices in mining operations. However, there is a growing focus on developing alternative battery technologies that use more abundant and sustainable resources.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: The reliance on petroleum not only has environmental implications but also involves geopolitical tensions and price volatility. Oil extraction and transportation can lead to spills and environmental degradation.\n\nIn conclusion, while electric vehicles have a higher environmental impact during the production phase, they generally offer significant advantages in terms of reduced emissions and air pollution during their operational life, especially as energy grids transition to renewable sources. The long-term environmental benefits of EVs make them a crucial component of global strategies to combat climate change and reduce urban pollution. As technology and infrastructure continue to improve, the environmental impacts of EVs are expected to further decline, enhancing their sustainability compared to traditional gasoline vehicles.",
+  "final_answer": "To assess the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) compared to traditional gasoline vehicles through a component-specific life cycle assessment (LCA), we will focus on key components: the battery in EVs and the internal combustion engine in gasoline vehicles. This analysis will consider the production, use, and disposal stages of these components.\n\n### Electric Vehicles: Battery\n\n#### Production Stage\n- **Materials Extraction and Processing**: The production of EV batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, involves the extraction and processing of raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite. These processes are energy-intensive and can lead to significant environmental impacts, including habitat destruction, water pollution, and high carbon emissions due to mining activities.\n- **Manufacturing**: Battery manufacturing requires substantial energy, often sourced from fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. The production of cathodes, anodes, and electrolytes involves chemical processes that can release pollutants.\n\n#### Use Stage\n- **Energy Efficiency**: EVs are generally more energy-efficient than gasoline vehicles. They convert a higher percentage of electrical energy from the grid to power at the wheels. This efficiency translates into lower operational emissions, especially when charged using renewable energy sources.\n- **Emissions**: During use, EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, reducing urban air pollution and associated health impacts.\n\n#### Disposal Stage\n- **Recycling and Disposal**: End-of-life battery management is crucial. Recycling can recover valuable materials, reducing the need for new raw material extraction. However, improper disposal can lead to environmental contamination due to hazardous materials in batteries.\n\n### Gasoline Vehicles: Internal Combustion Engine\n\n#### Production Stage\n- **Materials and Manufacturing**: The production of internal combustion engines involves the extraction and processing of metals like steel and aluminum. The manufacturing process is energy-intensive and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.\n- **Complexity and Components**: Engines are complex with many moving parts, requiring precision manufacturing and assembly, which further increases energy use and emissions.\n\n#### Use Stage\n- **Fuel Consumption**: Gasoline vehicles rely on fossil fuels, which release carbon dioxide and other pollutants during combustion. This contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.\n- **Efficiency**: Internal combustion engines are less efficient compared to electric motors, with a significant portion of energy lost as heat.\n\n#### Disposal Stage\n- **End-of-Life Management**: Engines and associated components can be recycled, but the process is energy-intensive. Metals can be recovered, but other materials may end up in landfills.\n\n### Comparative Summary\n\n- **Production**: EV batteries have a higher initial environmental impact due to material extraction and energy-intensive manufacturing. However, advancements in battery technology and recycling can mitigate these impacts over time.\n- **Use**: EVs offer significant environmental benefits during the use phase, with higher energy efficiency and zero tailpipe emissions compared to gasoline vehicles, which emit greenhouse gases and pollutants.\n- **Disposal**: Both EV batteries and gasoline engines require careful end-of-life management to minimize environmental impacts. Recycling processes are improving, particularly for EV batteries, which can reduce the need for new raw materials.\n\nOverall, while the production of EV batteries currently has a higher environmental footprint than gasoline engines, the benefits during the use phase and potential for recycling make EVs a more sustainable choice in the long term, especially as the energy grid becomes greener.",
+  "strategy_path": [
+    "I can answer by conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) of both electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve evaluating the environmental impact of each vehicle type from production through disposal, considering factors such as raw material extraction, manufacturing processes, vehicle use phase, and end-of-life recycling or disposal.",
+    "I can answer by conducting a component-specific life cycle assessment (LCA) that isolates the environmental impacts of key vehicle components, such as batteries in electric vehicles and engines in gasoline vehicles. This approach would delve into the specific environmental footprints of these components, including their production, use, and disposal stages, to understand their individual contributions to the overall vehicle impact."
+  ],
+  "history": [
+    {
+      "depth": 0,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) of both electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve evaluating the environmental impact of each vehicle type from production through disposal, considering factors such as raw material extraction, manufacturing processes, vehicle use phase, and end-of-life recycling or disposal.",
+        "I can answer by comparing the greenhouse gas emissions of electric vehicles and gasoline vehicles during their operational phase. This strategy would focus on the emissions produced by each vehicle type while they are being driven, including the emissions from electricity generation for EVs and the combustion of gasoline for traditional vehicles.",
+        "I can answer by analyzing the supply chain and resource dependencies of both electric and gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve examining the environmental impacts related to mining and processing raw materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel for EV batteries versus those related to oil extraction and refinement for gasoline.",
+        "I can answer by reviewing and synthesizing existing scientific literature and reports from environmental organizations on the topic. This method would involve gathering data from various studies and reports to provide a comprehensive overview of the environmental impacts associated with both vehicle types, highlighting areas of consensus and debate within the research community."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) of both electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve evaluating the environmental impact of each vehicle type from production through disposal, considering factors such as raw material extraction, manufacturing processes, vehicle use phase, and end-of-life recycling or disposal."
+    },
+    {
+      "depth": 1,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by focusing on a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) that emphasizes the differences in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions between electric and gasoline vehicles. This approach would detail the energy used and emissions produced at each life cycle stage, from manufacturing and operational energy consumption to final disposal, providing specific insights into how each stage contributes to the overall environmental impact.",
+        "I can answer by performing a regional life cycle assessment (LCA) that considers the geographical variations in electricity generation sources and raw material availability. This approach would highlight how the environmental impacts of electric vehicles might differ significantly depending on the region, due to varying energy grids, local manufacturing practices, and recycling capabilities, compared to traditional gasoline vehicles.",
+        "I can answer by conducting a component-specific life cycle assessment (LCA) that isolates the environmental impacts of key vehicle components, such as batteries in electric vehicles and engines in gasoline vehicles. This approach would delve into the specific environmental footprints of these components, including their production, use, and disposal stages, to understand their individual contributions to the overall vehicle impact.",
+        "I can answer by integrating a temporal life cycle assessment (LCA) that examines how the environmental impacts of electric and gasoline vehicles change over time. This approach would assess factors such as potential improvements in battery technology, changes in electricity generation, and advancements in fuel efficiency, projecting how these dynamic elements could alter the comparative environmental impacts of the two vehicle types over the next decades."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 2,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a component-specific life cycle assessment (LCA) that isolates the environmental impacts of key vehicle components, such as batteries in electric vehicles and engines in gasoline vehicles. This approach would delve into the specific environmental footprints of these components, including their production, use, and disposal stages, to understand their individual contributions to the overall vehicle impact."
+    }
+  ],
+  "ibfs_config": {
+    "diversity_level": "medium",
+    "branching_factor": 4,
+    "max_depth": 2
+  },
+  "user_config": {
+    "epsilon": 0.2
+  },
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T14:15:53.853918",
+  "similarity_score": 0.8,
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_141119",
+  "simulation_id": 14
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_141119_sim_15.json

@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+{
+  "query": "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?",
+  "user_id": "4300457a-91ea-45de-a95d-5d425507e6a6",
+  "ibfs_id": "73df6d95-3eff-47bc-9dc0-4c8dcb26c6e9",
+  "user_preferred_answer": "Electric vehicles (EVs) are often touted as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional gasoline vehicles, and for good reason. However, their environmental impacts are multifaceted and can vary depending on several factors, including the source of the electricity used to charge them and the materials used in their batteries.\n\n**1. Emissions During Use:**\n   - **Electric Vehicles:** EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, which significantly reduces air pollutants like nitrogen oxides and particulate matter in urban areas. This can lead to improved air quality and public health benefits.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles:** In contrast, traditional gasoline vehicles emit carbon dioxide (CO2) and other pollutants directly from the tailpipe, contributing to air pollution and climate change.\n\n**2. Lifecycle Emissions:**\n   - **Electric Vehicles:** The total environmental impact of EVs includes emissions from electricity generation and battery production. If the electricity comes from renewable sources like wind or solar, the overall emissions are much lower. However, if the grid relies heavily on fossil fuels, the environmental benefits are reduced.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles:** Gasoline vehicles produce emissions throughout their lifecycle, from fuel extraction, refining, and transportation, to combustion. These emissions are generally higher than those associated with EVs, especially as the grid becomes cleaner.\n\n**3. Battery Production and Disposal:**\n   - **Electric Vehicles:** The production of lithium-ion batteries used in EVs can have significant environmental impacts, including resource extraction, water usage, and habitat disruption. The mining of lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which are crucial for these batteries, can lead to environmental degradation and human rights concerns. However, advances in recycling technologies and battery chemistry are helping to mitigate these impacts.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles:** While gasoline vehicles do not rely on large batteries, the environmental costs of oil extraction and refining are substantial, including risks of oil spills and habitat destruction.\n\n**4. Energy Efficiency:**\n   - **Electric Vehicles:** EVs are generally more energy-efficient than gasoline vehicles. They convert a higher percentage of energy from the grid to power at the wheels, whereas internal combustion engines waste a significant portion of energy as heat.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles:** Even the most advanced gasoline engines are less efficient, leading to higher fuel consumption and more emissions per mile.\n\n**5. Infrastructure and Long-Term Impacts:**\n   - **Electric Vehicles:** The shift to EVs requires substantial changes to infrastructure, including charging stations and grid upgrades. In the long term, widespread adoption of EVs can support a transition to renewable energy and a more sustainable transportation system.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles:** Continued reliance on gasoline vehicles perpetuates the demand for fossil fuels and the infrastructure that supports them, which is less sustainable in the context of climate change goals.\n\nIn conclusion, while electric vehicles offer significant environmental benefits over traditional gasoline vehicles, especially in terms of emissions during use, their overall impact depends on how they are manufactured, the source of their electricity, and how effectively their batteries are recycled. As technology advances and the electricity grid becomes greener, the environmental advantages of EVs are expected to increase further.",
+  "final_answer": "To assess the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) compared to traditional gasoline vehicles using a longitudinal life cycle analysis (LCA), we need to consider the entire lifecycle of each vehicle type, from production through use to end-of-life, while factoring in technological advancements, changes in energy sources, and improvements in recycling methods over time.\n\n### Production Phase\n\n1. **Material Extraction and Manufacturing:**\n   - **Electric Vehicles:** The production of EVs, particularly the battery, involves significant environmental impacts due to the extraction and processing of materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. However, advancements in battery technology, such as the development of solid-state batteries and alternative chemistries, are expected to reduce these impacts over time by increasing energy density and reducing reliance on scarce materials.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles:** The manufacturing of gasoline vehicles involves less intensive material extraction compared to EVs, but the production of internal combustion engines (ICEs) and associated components still contributes to environmental impacts. Over time, improvements in manufacturing efficiency and material recycling can mitigate some of these impacts.\n\n### Use Phase\n\n2. **Energy Consumption and Emissions:**\n   - **Electric Vehicles:** The environmental impact during the use phase of EVs is largely dependent on the electricity mix used for charging. As the grid becomes greener with increased integration of renewable energy sources like wind and solar, the carbon footprint of EVs during their use phase is expected to decrease significantly. Technological advancements in battery efficiency and vehicle design also contribute to reduced energy consumption per mile.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles:** Gasoline vehicles emit greenhouse gases and pollutants directly from the tailpipe. While advancements in engine technology and fuel efficiency can reduce emissions, the inherent reliance on fossil fuels limits the potential for significant long-term reductions in environmental impact.\n\n### End-of-Life Phase\n\n3. **Recycling and Disposal:**\n   - **Electric Vehicles:** The recycling of EV batteries is a critical factor in their environmental impact. Current recycling methods are improving, with advancements in recovering valuable materials and reducing waste. Future developments in battery design that facilitate easier recycling and the establishment of efficient recycling infrastructure are expected to further mitigate environmental impacts.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles:** The recycling of gasoline vehicles is relatively well-established, with many components being recyclable. However, the disposal of engine oils and other fluids presents environmental challenges. Improvements in vehicle design for easier disassembly and recycling can enhance sustainability.\n\n### Longitudinal Considerations\n\n- **Technological Advancements:** Over time, both EVs and gasoline vehicles benefit from technological improvements. For EVs, this includes better battery technologies, more efficient electric drivetrains, and lighter materials. For gasoline vehicles, advancements focus on increasing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.\n- **Energy Source Changes:** The shift towards renewable energy sources significantly benefits EVs, as their environmental impact during the use phase is closely tied to the electricity grid's carbon intensity. Gasoline vehicles remain dependent on fossil fuels, limiting their potential for similar improvements.\n- **Recycling Improvements:** As recycling technologies advance, both vehicle types can see reduced environmental impacts at the end of their lifecycle. However, the complexity of EV battery recycling presents unique challenges and opportunities for innovation.\n\nIn conclusion, while both electric and gasoline vehicles have environmental impacts, the longitudinal life cycle analysis suggests that EVs have the potential for greater reductions in environmental impact over time due to technological advancements, cleaner energy sources, and improved recycling methods. Gasoline vehicles, constrained by their reliance on fossil fuels, face more significant challenges in achieving similar long-term environmental benefits.",
+  "strategy_path": [
+    "I can answer by conducting a comprehensive life cycle analysis (LCA) for both electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This involves evaluating the environmental impacts at each stage of the vehicle's life, from raw material extraction, manufacturing, and usage, to disposal. By comparing the LCAs, I can provide a detailed overview of how each vehicle type impacts the environment throughout its entire lifespan.",
+    "I can answer by integrating a longitudinal life cycle analysis (LCA) that examines how the environmental impacts of both electric and gasoline vehicles evolve over time. This involves considering technological advancements, changes in energy sources, and improvements in recycling methods, providing a dynamic view of how each vehicle type's environmental impacts may change in the future."
+  ],
+  "history": [
+    {
+      "depth": 0,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a comprehensive life cycle analysis (LCA) for both electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This involves evaluating the environmental impacts at each stage of the vehicle's life, from raw material extraction, manufacturing, and usage, to disposal. By comparing the LCAs, I can provide a detailed overview of how each vehicle type impacts the environment throughout its entire lifespan.",
+        "I can answer by focusing on the emissions comparison during the usage phase of the vehicles. This involves analyzing the greenhouse gas emissions produced by gasoline vehicles during fuel combustion compared to the emissions associated with electricity generation for EVs, considering the energy mix of different regions. This approach would highlight the environmental impact while the vehicles are in use.",
+        "I can answer by examining the resource consumption and waste generation associated with each vehicle type. This includes assessing the demand for rare earth metals in EV batteries and their recyclability, versus the oil extraction and refining processes required for gasoline vehicles. By comparing the sustainability of resource usage, I can provide insights into the broader environmental implications.",
+        "I can answer by exploring the potential impact on ecosystems and local environments. This could involve looking at the land use changes, habitat disruption, and pollution resulting from mining activities for battery materials in EVs, compared to the impact of oil drilling and infrastructure development for gasoline vehicles. This strategy would provide an ecological perspective on the environmental impacts of both vehicle types."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a comprehensive life cycle analysis (LCA) for both electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This involves evaluating the environmental impacts at each stage of the vehicle's life, from raw material extraction, manufacturing, and usage, to disposal. By comparing the LCAs, I can provide a detailed overview of how each vehicle type impacts the environment throughout its entire lifespan."
+    },
+    {
+      "depth": 1,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by focusing on a specific LCA phase for both electric and gasoline vehicles, such as the manufacturing process. In this approach, I will conduct a detailed comparison of the environmental impacts related specifically to the production of EV batteries versus gasoline engines. This targeted analysis will highlight the differences in resource use and emissions during the manufacturing stage.",
+        "I can answer by conducting a regional life cycle analysis (LCA) for both electric and gasoline vehicles, taking into account the specific energy sources and infrastructure available in different geographic areas. This approach will assess how the environmental impacts vary depending on whether the electricity for EVs is generated from renewable sources or fossil fuels, and how this compares to regional gasoline production and consumption.",
+        "I can answer by undertaking a component-specific life cycle analysis (LCA), where I assess and compare the environmental impacts of individual components such as the battery pack for EVs and the internal combustion engine for gasoline vehicles. This granular approach will provide insights into which specific parts contribute most to the overall environmental footprint of each vehicle type throughout their lifecycle.",
+        "I can answer by integrating a longitudinal life cycle analysis (LCA) that examines how the environmental impacts of both electric and gasoline vehicles evolve over time. This involves considering technological advancements, changes in energy sources, and improvements in recycling methods, providing a dynamic view of how each vehicle type's environmental impacts may change in the future."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 3,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by integrating a longitudinal life cycle analysis (LCA) that examines how the environmental impacts of both electric and gasoline vehicles evolve over time. This involves considering technological advancements, changes in energy sources, and improvements in recycling methods, providing a dynamic view of how each vehicle type's environmental impacts may change in the future."
+    }
+  ],
+  "ibfs_config": {
+    "diversity_level": "medium",
+    "branching_factor": 4,
+    "max_depth": 2
+  },
+  "user_config": {
+    "epsilon": 0.2
+  },
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T14:16:09.338244",
+  "similarity_score": 0.8,
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_141119",
+  "simulation_id": 15
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_141119_sim_2.json

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+{
+  "query": "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?",
+  "user_id": "fdb54149-1cf7-4023-b8e5-dcc46f7029a9",
+  "ibfs_id": "8474042e-348a-4a4e-b7a6-6c6542757b7e",
+  "user_preferred_answer": "Electric vehicles (EVs) are often touted as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional gasoline vehicles. The environmental impacts of each can be examined across several dimensions, including emissions, resource extraction, manufacturing, and end-of-life processes.\n\n**1. Emissions:**\n\n- **Operational Emissions:** EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, which significantly reduces air pollution in urban areas. This is a stark contrast to gasoline vehicles, which emit carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter, contributing to air pollution and climate change.\n  \n- **Lifecycle Emissions:** While EVs are cleaner during operation, their overall environmental impact also depends on the source of electricity used to charge them. In regions where the grid relies heavily on coal or other fossil fuels, the carbon footprint of EVs can be higher. However, as the grid becomes greener, the lifecycle emissions of EVs decrease significantly.\n\n**2. Resource Extraction and Manufacturing:**\n\n- **Materials and Batteries:** EVs require lithium, cobalt, and other rare earth elements for their batteries, which can have significant environmental and ethical implications due to mining practices. The extraction processes can lead to habitat destruction, water pollution, and human rights concerns. However, the automotive industry is increasingly focusing on sustainable sourcing and recycling initiatives.\n\n- **Manufacturing Emissions:** The production of EVs, particularly their batteries, tends to be more energy-intensive compared to traditional vehicles, leading to higher initial emissions. However, these emissions are offset over the vehicle's lifespan due to their lower operational emissions.\n\n**3. Energy Efficiency:**\n\n- EVs are generally more energy-efficient than gasoline vehicles. They convert a higher percentage of the electrical energy from the grid to power at the wheels, whereas internal combustion engines lose a significant amount of energy as heat.\n\n**4. End-of-Life and Recycling:**\n\n- **Recycling Batteries:** The disposal and recycling of EV batteries remain a challenge, but advances are being made in battery recycling technologies to recover and reuse valuable materials, thus reducing the environmental impact.\n\n- **Decommissioning:** Both EVs and gasoline vehicles face environmental impacts at the end of their life cycles. However, the recycling of metal and other components is more established for traditional vehicles.\n\n**5. Broader Environmental Benefits:**\n\n- **Noise Pollution:** EVs operate more quietly than gasoline vehicles, contributing to reduced noise pollution, particularly in urban areas.\n\n- **Contribution to Renewable Energy Transition:** As the integration of renewable energy sources into the grid increases, EVs can play a crucial role in energy storage and management, further supporting the transition to a low-carbon future.\n\nOverall, while EVs have certain environmental challenges, particularly related to battery production and resource extraction, they offer significant advantages in reducing emissions and improving air quality. As technology advances and renewable energy becomes more prevalent, the environmental benefits of EVs are expected to increase, making them a critical component of sustainable transportation strategies.",
+  "final_answer": "To conduct a localized lifecycle analysis comparing the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles, we need to consider several factors that vary by region: the energy mix of the local electricity grid, the availability and efficiency of recycling infrastructure, and the typical driving conditions and distances. Here, we will examine three distinct regions: the United States, Germany, and China, each with different energy profiles and recycling capabilities.\n\n### United States\n\n**Energy Mix:**\n- The U.S. electricity grid is diverse, with significant contributions from natural gas, coal, nuclear, and renewables (wind, solar, hydro).\n- The carbon intensity of electricity varies by state. For example, California has a higher proportion of renewable energy compared to states like West Virginia, which relies heavily on coal.\n\n**Lifecycle Analysis:**\n- **Production:** EVs generally have higher emissions during production due to battery manufacturing. However, this is offset over time by lower operational emissions.\n- **Use Phase:** In states with cleaner grids (e.g., California), EVs have significantly lower emissions compared to gasoline vehicles. In coal-reliant states, the benefits are reduced but still present.\n- **End-of-Life:** The U.S. has a developing infrastructure for battery recycling, which is crucial for minimizing the environmental impact of EVs.\n\n### Germany\n\n**Energy Mix:**\n- Germany has made significant strides in renewable energy, with wind and solar playing a major role, although coal and natural gas are still part of the mix.\n- The Energiewende policy aims to further reduce reliance on fossil fuels.\n\n**Lifecycle Analysis:**\n- **Production:** Similar to the U.S., the initial production of EVs is more carbon-intensive due to battery manufacturing.\n- **Use Phase:** Due to a relatively clean grid, EVs in Germany generally have a lower carbon footprint during the use phase compared to gasoline vehicles.\n- **End-of-Life:** Germany has robust recycling programs, including for EV batteries, which helps mitigate environmental impacts.\n\n### China\n\n**Energy Mix:**\n- China's electricity grid is heavily reliant on coal, although there is a growing investment in renewable energy.\n- The regional disparity is significant, with some areas having more access to cleaner energy sources.\n\n**Lifecycle Analysis:**\n- **Production:** China is a major producer of EVs, and the initial carbon footprint is high due to coal-based electricity used in manufacturing.\n- **Use Phase:** In regions with cleaner energy, such as those with hydroelectric power, EVs perform better environmentally. However, in coal-dominated areas, the benefits are less pronounced.\n- **End-of-Life:** China is rapidly developing its recycling infrastructure, but it still lags behind Western countries in terms of efficiency and coverage.\n\n### Conclusion\n\nThe environmental impact of electric vehicles compared to gasoline vehicles varies significantly by region due to differences in energy sources and recycling infrastructure. In regions with a cleaner energy mix and robust recycling systems, such as Germany and certain U.S. states, EVs offer substantial environmental benefits over gasoline vehicles. In contrast, in areas with a coal-heavy grid, like parts of China, the benefits are reduced, though still present. The development of recycling infrastructure and a shift towards renewable energy are critical to maximizing the environmental advantages of electric vehicles globally.",
+  "strategy_path": [
+    "I can answer by conducting a comparative lifecycle analysis that examines the environmental impacts of both electric and gasoline vehicles from production to disposal. This approach involves evaluating factors such as raw material extraction, manufacturing processes, energy consumption during use, and end-of-life recycling or disposal. By comparing these aspects, I can provide a comprehensive overview of the environmental footprints of each vehicle type over their entire lifespans.",
+    "I can answer by conducting a localized lifecycle analysis that accounts for regional differences in energy sources and recycling infrastructure. This approach will compare the environmental impacts of electric and gasoline vehicles in different geographical areas, taking into consideration the local electricity grid's energy mix (e.g., coal vs. renewable energy) and the availability of recycling facilities for batteries and automotive components. By examining the lifecycle impacts in various regions, I can highlight how the environmental footprints of these vehicles can vary significantly based on location."
+  ],
+  "history": [
+    {
+      "depth": 0,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a comparative lifecycle analysis that examines the environmental impacts of both electric and gasoline vehicles from production to disposal. This approach involves evaluating factors such as raw material extraction, manufacturing processes, energy consumption during use, and end-of-life recycling or disposal. By comparing these aspects, I can provide a comprehensive overview of the environmental footprints of each vehicle type over their entire lifespans.",
+        "I can answer by focusing on the operational phase of both vehicle types, specifically analyzing emissions and energy efficiency during their use. This approach includes evaluating the greenhouse gas emissions produced by gasoline vehicles during combustion and comparing them to the emissions associated with electricity generation for electric vehicles, considering the energy mix of different regions. Additionally, I can analyze how advancements in renewable energy and battery technologies influence the overall environmental impact during the operational phase."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a comparative lifecycle analysis that examines the environmental impacts of both electric and gasoline vehicles from production to disposal. This approach involves evaluating factors such as raw material extraction, manufacturing processes, energy consumption during use, and end-of-life recycling or disposal. By comparing these aspects, I can provide a comprehensive overview of the environmental footprints of each vehicle type over their entire lifespans."
+    },
+    {
+      "depth": 1,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by focusing on a detailed lifecycle assessment of the manufacturing phase, specifically analyzing the environmental impacts of producing batteries for electric vehicles compared to the engines of gasoline vehicles. This approach will delve into the sourcing and processing of raw materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel for EV batteries and compare these with the materials and energy required for internal combustion engines. By isolating the manufacturing phase, I can provide insights into the specific environmental challenges and benefits associated with each vehicle type's production.",
+        "I can answer by conducting a localized lifecycle analysis that accounts for regional differences in energy sources and recycling infrastructure. This approach will compare the environmental impacts of electric and gasoline vehicles in different geographical areas, taking into consideration the local electricity grid's energy mix (e.g., coal vs. renewable energy) and the availability of recycling facilities for batteries and automotive components. By examining the lifecycle impacts in various regions, I can highlight how the environmental footprints of these vehicles can vary significantly based on location."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 1,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a localized lifecycle analysis that accounts for regional differences in energy sources and recycling infrastructure. This approach will compare the environmental impacts of electric and gasoline vehicles in different geographical areas, taking into consideration the local electricity grid's energy mix (e.g., coal vs. renewable energy) and the availability of recycling facilities for batteries and automotive components. By examining the lifecycle impacts in various regions, I can highlight how the environmental footprints of these vehicles can vary significantly based on location."
+    }
+  ],
+  "ibfs_config": {
+    "diversity_level": "low",
+    "branching_factor": 2,
+    "max_depth": 2
+  },
+  "user_config": {
+    "epsilon": 0.2
+  },
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T14:12:27.242514",
+  "similarity_score": 0.7,
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_141119",
+  "simulation_id": 2
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_141119_sim_3.json

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+{
+  "query": "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?",
+  "user_id": "e7dfef36-6ad0-4692-b928-3b1e2811fc1f",
+  "ibfs_id": "f1af943d-adfe-4c1d-a4ba-b792c30321fd",
+  "user_preferred_answer": "Electric vehicles (EVs) are often touted as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional gasoline vehicles, and there are several aspects where they offer significant environmental benefits. However, they also present some challenges that need to be considered for a comprehensive understanding.\n\n1. **Emissions During Operation**: \n   - **Electric Vehicles**: EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, which means they do not emit harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, or carbon dioxide while being driven. This leads to improved air quality, especially in urban areas where vehicle emissions are a major contributor to pollution.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: Traditional vehicles emit a significant amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and pollutants during operation. These emissions contribute to air pollution and climate change.\n\n2. **Energy Source and Production**:\n   - **Electric Vehicles**: The environmental impact of EVs largely depends on the energy mix used to generate the electricity that powers them. If the electricity comes from renewable sources like wind, solar, or hydroelectric power, the overall emissions are much lower. However, in regions where coal or natural gas dominate the energy mix, the carbon footprint of electricity generation can be significant.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: The production and refining of gasoline involve substantial energy use and emissions. Moreover, the extraction of oil can lead to environmental degradation, spills, and habitat disruption.\n\n3. **Manufacturing Impact**:\n   - **Electric Vehicles**: The production of EVs, particularly their batteries, is energy-intensive and can result in considerable emissions. Mining for lithium, cobalt, and other materials used in batteries can have negative environmental impacts, including habitat destruction and pollution.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: While the manufacturing of conventional vehicles also involves emissions, they are generally less than those associated with EV batteries. However, the emissions from gasoline vehicle production are compounded by their operational emissions over their lifespan.\n\n4. **Lifecycle Emissions**:\n   - **Electric Vehicles**: Studies suggest that, over their entire lifecycle, EVs typically have lower total emissions compared to gasoline vehicles, even when considering battery production and electricity generation. This is because the higher emissions from manufacturing are offset by the lower operational emissions.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: The lifecycle emissions of gasoline vehicles remain high due to the continuous emissions from fuel combustion.\n\n5. **End-of-Life Considerations**:\n   - **Electric Vehicles**: The recycling and disposal of EV batteries pose environmental challenges. Advancements in battery recycling technology are critical to reducing these impacts.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: Conventional vehicles also require recycling and disposal, but the environmental concerns are generally less pronounced compared to EV battery disposal.\n\nIn summary, while electric vehicles offer significant environmental benefits, particularly in terms of reducing air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions during operation, their overall environmental impact is influenced by factors such as the energy source for electricity, battery production, and end-of-life management. Transitioning to cleaner energy sources and improving battery technologies and recycling processes are crucial steps in maximizing the environmental benefits of electric vehicles.",
+  "final_answer": "To evaluate the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) compared to traditional gasoline vehicles during their use phase, we will conduct a life cycle analysis (LCA) focusing on energy consumption and emissions produced while the vehicles are in operation.\n\n### Electric Vehicles (EVs)\n\n1. **Energy Consumption:**\n   - EVs are powered by electricity stored in batteries. The energy efficiency of EVs is generally higher than that of gasoline vehicles because electric motors convert a larger percentage of electrical energy from the grid to power at the wheels.\n   - The efficiency of EVs can be measured in miles per kilowatt-hour (mi/kWh). On average, EVs achieve about 3 to 4 mi/kWh.\n\n2. **Emissions:**\n   - The emissions from EVs during the use phase are primarily indirect and depend on the electricity generation mix used to charge the batteries.\n   - If the electricity comes from renewable sources (e.g., wind, solar, hydro), the emissions are minimal. However, if the electricity is generated from fossil fuels (e.g., coal, natural gas), the emissions can be significant.\n   - On average, EVs produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions per mile compared to gasoline vehicles, even when charged from a grid with a substantial fossil fuel component. This is due to the higher efficiency of power plants compared to internal combustion engines and the potential for cleaner energy sources.\n\n### Gasoline Vehicles\n\n1. **Energy Consumption:**\n   - Gasoline vehicles are powered by internal combustion engines that convert the chemical energy in gasoline into mechanical energy.\n   - The energy efficiency of gasoline vehicles is typically lower than that of EVs. Fuel economy is often measured in miles per gallon (mpg). A typical gasoline vehicle might achieve around 25 to 30 mpg.\n\n2. **Emissions:**\n   - Gasoline vehicles emit carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter directly from the tailpipe as a result of burning gasoline.\n   - The emissions are directly proportional to fuel consumption, with higher fuel consumption leading to higher emissions.\n   - On average, gasoline vehicles emit more greenhouse gases per mile than EVs, primarily due to the combustion of fossil fuels in the engine.\n\n### Comparison\n\n- **Greenhouse Gas Emissions:** EVs generally produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions during the use phase compared to gasoline vehicles, especially when charged with electricity from low-carbon sources.\n- **Energy Efficiency:** EVs are more energy-efficient than gasoline vehicles, converting a higher percentage of energy from the grid to motion.\n- **Local Emissions:** EVs have zero tailpipe emissions, improving local air quality, whereas gasoline vehicles emit pollutants directly into the atmosphere.\n\nIn summary, during the use phase, electric vehicles tend to have a lower environmental impact in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency compared to traditional gasoline vehicles, particularly when charged with electricity from renewable sources. However, the overall environmental benefits of EVs can vary significantly based on the electricity generation mix of the region where they are used.",
+  "strategy_path": [
+    "I can answer by conducting a life cycle analysis (LCA) for both electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve evaluating the entire life cycle of each vehicle type, from raw material extraction, manufacturing, and use phase, to disposal and recycling. I would compare factors such as energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and resource depletion at each stage to provide a comprehensive view of their environmental impacts.",
+    "I can answer by conducting a life cycle analysis (LCA) focused on the use phase of electric and gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve evaluating the environmental impacts related to the energy consumption and emissions produced while the vehicles are in operation. For EVs, this would include analyzing the electricity sources used for charging, while for gasoline vehicles, it would involve assessing the emissions from burning fuel. By comparing the operational impacts of both vehicle types, I can identify how they differ in terms of energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions throughout their usage life."
+  ],
+  "history": [
+    {
+      "depth": 0,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a life cycle analysis (LCA) for both electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve evaluating the entire life cycle of each vehicle type, from raw material extraction, manufacturing, and use phase, to disposal and recycling. I would compare factors such as energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and resource depletion at each stage to provide a comprehensive view of their environmental impacts.",
+        "I can answer by focusing on the operational phase comparison of electric vehicles and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach would specifically look at the emissions and energy consumption during the use of the vehicles. I would analyze the tailpipe emissions of gasoline vehicles and compare them to the emissions associated with electricity production for EVs, considering different electricity grid mixes. This would highlight the direct environmental impacts during the vehicle's operational life."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a life cycle analysis (LCA) for both electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve evaluating the entire life cycle of each vehicle type, from raw material extraction, manufacturing, and use phase, to disposal and recycling. I would compare factors such as energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and resource depletion at each stage to provide a comprehensive view of their environmental impacts."
+    },
+    {
+      "depth": 1,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a life cycle analysis (LCA) that focuses specifically on the manufacturing phase of both electric and gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve examining the environmental impacts associated with the production processes, including the extraction and processing of raw materials like lithium for batteries, steel, and aluminum. It would also consider the energy and resources used in assembling the vehicles. By comparing the manufacturing impacts of EVs and gasoline vehicles, I can provide insights into which type of vehicle has a greater environmental footprint during this critical phase.",
+        "I can answer by conducting a life cycle analysis (LCA) focused on the use phase of electric and gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve evaluating the environmental impacts related to the energy consumption and emissions produced while the vehicles are in operation. For EVs, this would include analyzing the electricity sources used for charging, while for gasoline vehicles, it would involve assessing the emissions from burning fuel. By comparing the operational impacts of both vehicle types, I can identify how they differ in terms of energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions throughout their usage life."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 1,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a life cycle analysis (LCA) focused on the use phase of electric and gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve evaluating the environmental impacts related to the energy consumption and emissions produced while the vehicles are in operation. For EVs, this would include analyzing the electricity sources used for charging, while for gasoline vehicles, it would involve assessing the emissions from burning fuel. By comparing the operational impacts of both vehicle types, I can identify how they differ in terms of energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions throughout their usage life."
+    }
+  ],
+  "ibfs_config": {
+    "diversity_level": "low",
+    "branching_factor": 2,
+    "max_depth": 2
+  },
+  "user_config": {
+    "epsilon": 0.2
+  },
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T14:12:31.658637",
+  "similarity_score": 0.8,
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_141119",
+  "simulation_id": 3
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_141119_sim_4.json

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+{
+  "query": "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?",
+  "user_id": "0a20bae1-3f62-4587-ba53-e17c1be5a870",
+  "ibfs_id": "49792305-a0fa-4f26-a672-2868236c8be8",
+  "user_preferred_answer": "Electric vehicles (EVs) are often touted as a cleaner alternative to traditional gasoline vehicles, but it's essential to consider the environmental impacts throughout their entire lifecycle to get a complete picture.\n\n**Manufacturing Impact:**\nThe production of EVs, particularly the batteries, typically results in higher emissions compared to manufacturing traditional gasoline vehicles. The extraction and processing of raw materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel used in EV batteries are energy-intensive and can have significant environmental impacts, including habitat destruction and pollution. However, advancements in battery technology and recycling processes are continually improving this aspect.\n\n**Operation Emissions:**\nOnce on the road, EVs have a clear advantage. They produce zero tailpipe emissions, meaning no carbon dioxide or harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides and particulate matter are emitted during operation. This contributes to improved air quality, especially in urban areas. In contrast, gasoline vehicles emit significant amounts of greenhouse gases and pollutants that contribute to climate change and respiratory diseases.\n\n**Energy Source:**\nA critical factor in determining the environmental impact of EVs is the source of the electricity used to charge them. In regions where electricity is generated from renewable sources such as wind, solar, or hydroelectric power, the overall carbon footprint of EVs is substantially lower. Conversely, if the electricity comes primarily from coal or other fossil fuels, the environmental benefits are reduced but still generally better than traditional vehicles due to the higher efficiency of electric motors.\n\n**End-of-Life and Recycling:**\nEVs offer potential benefits in terms of recyclability. While the recycling of EV batteries is still developing, it presents opportunities for recovering valuable materials and reducing the need for new raw material extraction. Innovations are underway to improve battery recycling processes, making them more efficient and environmentally friendly. Traditional vehicles also have recyclable components, but the energy-intensive nature of fossil fuel production and the emissions from tailpipes are ongoing environmental concerns.\n\n**Long-Term Benefits:**\nOver their lifespan, EVs typically result in lower overall emissions compared to gasoline vehicles, especially as the electricity grid becomes greener. Their potential to integrate with renewable energy systems and advancements in technology promise to further reduce their environmental impact.\n\n**Conclusion:**\nWhile both electric and gasoline vehicles have environmental impacts, EVs generally have a lower carbon footprint over their entire lifecycle. Their benefits are most pronounced when supported by clean energy grids and robust recycling programs. As technology and infrastructure improve, the environmental advantages of EVs are expected to increase, making them a crucial component in the transition to a more sustainable transportation system.",
+  "final_answer": "To compare the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles, we will conduct a lifecycle analysis (LCA) that examines each stage: raw material extraction, manufacturing, use, and disposal.\n\n### 1. Raw Material Extraction\n\n**Electric Vehicles (EVs):**\n- **Battery Materials:** EVs require lithium, cobalt, nickel, and other metals for their batteries. Mining these materials can have significant environmental impacts, including habitat destruction, water pollution, and high energy use. Cobalt mining, in particular, has raised concerns over environmental degradation and human rights issues.\n- **Other Components:** EVs also use aluminum and copper, which require energy-intensive extraction and processing.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **Fossil Fuels:** The extraction of crude oil for gasoline involves drilling, which can lead to oil spills, habitat destruction, and greenhouse gas emissions.\n- **Metals and Plastics:** Gasoline vehicles require steel, aluminum, and plastics, which also involve energy-intensive extraction and processing.\n\n### 2. Manufacturing\n\n**Electric Vehicles (EVs):**\n- **Battery Production:** The production of lithium-ion batteries is energy-intensive and contributes significantly to the carbon footprint of EVs. Manufacturing processes involve high energy use and emissions.\n- **Vehicle Assembly:** EVs generally have fewer moving parts than gasoline vehicles, which can reduce some manufacturing impacts.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **Engine and Transmission:** The manufacturing of internal combustion engines and transmissions is complex and energy-intensive.\n- **Vehicle Assembly:** Similar to EVs, the assembly of gasoline vehicles involves energy use and emissions, but the complexity of the engine and transmission adds to the environmental burden.\n\n### 3. Use Phase\n\n**Electric Vehicles (EVs):**\n- **Energy Consumption:** EVs are generally more efficient than gasoline vehicles. They produce zero tailpipe emissions, but the environmental impact depends on the electricity source. If the electricity is generated from renewable sources, the impact is significantly lower than if it comes from coal or natural gas.\n- **Maintenance:** EVs typically require less maintenance due to fewer moving parts, reducing the environmental impact over the vehicle's lifetime.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **Fuel Consumption:** Gasoline vehicles emit CO2, NOx, and other pollutants during operation, contributing to air pollution and climate change.\n- **Maintenance:** Regular maintenance, including oil changes and engine repairs, contributes to environmental impacts through the production and disposal of parts and fluids.\n\n### 4. Disposal and Recycling\n\n**Electric Vehicles (EVs):**\n- **Battery Disposal/Recycling:** The disposal and recycling of EV batteries are challenging. Improper disposal can lead to environmental contamination, but recycling can recover valuable materials. Efforts are underway to improve battery recycling technologies.\n- **Vehicle Recycling:** EVs can be recycled similarly to gasoline vehicles, but the battery remains a significant challenge.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **End-of-Life Recycling:** Gasoline vehicles are typically recycled for their metal content. The recycling process is well-established, but it still involves energy use and emissions.\n- **Fluid Disposal:** Disposal of engine oil and other fluids can pose environmental risks if not managed properly.\n\n### Conclusion\n\nOverall, electric vehicles tend to have a higher environmental impact during the raw material extraction and manufacturing phases, primarily due to battery production. However, they offer significant advantages during the use phase, especially when powered by renewable energy, due to their higher efficiency and lack of tailpipe emissions. The end-of-life phase presents challenges for both types of vehicles, but advancements in battery recycling could improve the sustainability of EVs. In contrast, gasoline vehicles have a more consistent environmental impact across all phases, with significant emissions during the use phase.",
+  "strategy_path": [
+    "I can answer by conducting a lifecycle analysis of both electric vehicles (EVs) and gasoline vehicles, examining every stage from production, use, to disposal. This would involve comparing the raw material extraction, manufacturing processes, energy consumption during use, and end-of-life disposal or recycling impacts for each type of vehicle."
+  ],
+  "history": [
+    {
+      "depth": 0,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a lifecycle analysis of both electric vehicles (EVs) and gasoline vehicles, examining every stage from production, use, to disposal. This would involve comparing the raw material extraction, manufacturing processes, energy consumption during use, and end-of-life disposal or recycling impacts for each type of vehicle.",
+        "I can answer by focusing specifically on the operational phase, comparing the emissions and energy efficiency of electric vehicles and gasoline vehicles during their use. This approach involves analyzing the greenhouse gas emissions and fuel efficiency when the vehicles are driven, considering factors like the energy source for electricity generation and the fuel type used in gasoline vehicles.",
+        "I can answer by exploring the impact of the supply chain for each vehicle type, looking at the environmental effects of sourcing materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel for EV batteries compared to oil extraction and refining for gasoline vehicles. This strategy assesses the ecological and social impacts associated with the procurement of these critical resources.",
+        "I can answer by reviewing existing research and reports from credible organizations and studies that have analyzed the environmental impacts of both vehicle types. This would involve synthesizing findings from scientific papers, government publications, and industry analyses to provide a comprehensive overview of how electric vehicles and gasoline vehicles differ in their environmental footprints."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a lifecycle analysis of both electric vehicles (EVs) and gasoline vehicles, examining every stage from production, use, to disposal. This would involve comparing the raw material extraction, manufacturing processes, energy consumption during use, and end-of-life disposal or recycling impacts for each type of vehicle."
+    }
+  ],
+  "ibfs_config": {
+    "diversity_level": "low",
+    "branching_factor": 4,
+    "max_depth": 1
+  },
+  "user_config": {
+    "epsilon": 0.2
+  },
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T14:12:59.137988",
+  "similarity_score": 0.9,
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_141119",
+  "simulation_id": 4
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_141119_sim_5.json

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+{
+  "query": "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?",
+  "user_id": "380c1f19-5969-45ca-abda-f31c4bf5c06c",
+  "ibfs_id": "0df81a50-a904-487a-b314-f6251c5d45bd",
+  "user_preferred_answer": "When considering the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) compared to traditional gasoline vehicles, it's important to evaluate several aspects, including emissions, resource use, and lifecycle impacts.\n\n1. **Emissions Reduction**: \n   - **Tailpipe Emissions**: Electric vehicles have a significant advantage over gasoline vehicles because they produce zero tailpipe emissions. This means they do not emit carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), or particulate matter while driving, which are major contributors to air pollution and climate change.\n   - **Power Generation**: The overall environmental benefit of EVs depends on the energy mix used to generate electricity. In regions where electricity is primarily generated from renewable sources like wind, solar, and hydro, EVs have a much lower carbon footprint compared to gasoline vehicles. However, in areas reliant on coal or natural gas, the emissions benefits are reduced, though still generally better than gasoline vehicles.\n\n2. **Resource Use and Manufacturing**:\n   - **Battery Production**: The production of EV batteries involves mining and processing materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which can have significant environmental impacts. This includes habitat destruction, water use, and pollution from mining activities. However, advancements in battery technology and recycling processes are helping to mitigate these impacts.\n   - **Lifecycle Assessment**: When considering the entire lifecycle, from manufacturing to disposal, EVs generally have a lower environmental impact than gasoline vehicles. The energy-intensive battery production is offset over time by the cleaner operation of EVs, especially as the grid becomes greener.\n\n3. **End-of-Life and Recycling**:\n   - **Battery Recycling**: Effective recycling of EV batteries can recover valuable materials and reduce the need for new resource extraction. This is an area of active research and development, with improvements expected to increase the sustainability of EVs.\n   - **Vehicle Disposal**: Both EVs and gasoline vehicles have environmental impacts at the end of their lifecycles, but the potential for recycling and reuse of EV components is increasing, which can mitigate these impacts.\n\n4. **Overall Environmental Impact**:\n   - **Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions**: Overall, EVs contribute to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to gasoline vehicles, particularly as the energy grid shifts towards renewable sources.\n   - **Improved Air Quality**: By reducing tailpipe emissions, EVs contribute to improved urban air quality, which has direct health benefits for populations.\n\nIn conclusion, while electric vehicles have some environmental challenges, particularly related to battery production and resource use, their overall impact is significantly lower than that of traditional gasoline vehicles. As technology and infrastructure continue to advance, the environmental benefits of EVs are expected to increase, making them a crucial component of sustainable transportation solutions.",
+  "final_answer": "To compare the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles, a lifecycle analysis (LCA) is conducted. This analysis considers the environmental effects from the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing, usage, and disposal stages for both types of vehicles.\n\n### 1. Raw Material Extraction\n\n**Electric Vehicles:**\n- **Battery Production:** EVs require lithium-ion batteries, which involve mining for lithium, cobalt, nickel, and other metals. This mining process can lead to significant environmental degradation, including habitat destruction, water pollution, and high energy consumption.\n- **Other Materials:** EVs also use aluminum and other lightweight materials to offset the weight of the battery, which involves additional mining and processing impacts.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **Fossil Fuels:** The extraction of oil for gasoline involves drilling and refining, which can lead to oil spills, habitat destruction, and significant greenhouse gas emissions.\n- **Metals and Plastics:** Gasoline vehicles require steel, aluminum, and plastics, similar to EVs, but generally in smaller quantities than the materials needed for EV batteries.\n\n### 2. Manufacturing\n\n**Electric Vehicles:**\n- **Energy-Intensive Battery Production:** The production of EV batteries is energy-intensive, often resulting in higher initial carbon emissions compared to gasoline vehicles.\n- **Assembly:** The assembly of EVs is similar to gasoline vehicles but includes additional processes for battery integration.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **Engine Production:** Manufacturing internal combustion engines is complex and energy-intensive, but generally less so than battery production.\n- **Assembly:** Similar to EVs, the assembly process involves significant energy use but is well-optimized over decades of production.\n\n### 3. Usage\n\n**Electric Vehicles:**\n- **Zero Tailpipe Emissions:** EVs produce no tailpipe emissions, reducing urban air pollution and greenhouse gases during operation.\n- **Electricity Source:** The environmental impact during usage largely depends on the electricity source. Renewable energy sources significantly reduce the carbon footprint, while coal-based electricity can offset some of the benefits.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **Tailpipe Emissions:** Gasoline vehicles emit CO2, NOx, particulate matter, and other pollutants, contributing to air pollution and climate change.\n- **Fuel Efficiency:** Advances in fuel efficiency have reduced emissions per mile, but they still remain higher than those of EVs powered by clean electricity.\n\n### 4. Disposal and Recycling\n\n**Electric Vehicles:**\n- **Battery Recycling:** The disposal of EV batteries poses challenges due to hazardous materials. However, recycling technologies are improving, allowing for the recovery of valuable metals.\n- **Vehicle Recycling:** Similar to gasoline vehicles, the rest of the EV can be recycled, though the processes are still being optimized for EV-specific components.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **End-of-Life Recycling:** Gasoline vehicles have established recycling processes for metals and other materials, but the disposal of fluids and certain plastics remains a challenge.\n- **Environmental Impact:** The disposal phase has a smaller relative impact compared to the usage phase, but still contributes to the overall environmental footprint.\n\n### Conclusion\n\nIn summary, electric vehicles generally have a higher environmental impact during the raw material extraction and manufacturing phases due to battery production. However, they offer significant environmental benefits during the usage phase, especially when powered by renewable energy. Gasoline vehicles, while having lower initial production impacts, contribute more to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions during their operational life. The disposal and recycling phase presents challenges for both types of vehicles, but advancements in technology and recycling processes continue to improve the sustainability of both. Overall, the lifecycle analysis suggests that EVs have the potential for a lower overall environmental impact, particularly as the electricity grid becomes greener and battery technologies advance.",
+  "strategy_path": [
+    "I can answer by conducting a lifecycle analysis of both electric and gasoline vehicles. This approach would encompass the environmental impacts from raw material extraction, manufacturing, usage, and disposal stages. By examining each phase, I can provide a comprehensive comparison of their respective carbon footprints and resource utilizations."
+  ],
+  "history": [
+    {
+      "depth": 0,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a lifecycle analysis of both electric and gasoline vehicles. This approach would encompass the environmental impacts from raw material extraction, manufacturing, usage, and disposal stages. By examining each phase, I can provide a comprehensive comparison of their respective carbon footprints and resource utilizations.",
+        "I can answer by focusing on the emissions produced during the operation of electric vehicles versus gasoline vehicles. This would involve analyzing tailpipe emissions, electricity generation sources for EVs, and the resultant greenhouse gas outputs. This approach highlights the direct and indirect emissions associated with both vehicle types during their use phase.",
+        "I can answer by evaluating the resource extraction and supply chain impacts for electric and gasoline vehicles. This strategy would explore the environmental consequences of mining for battery materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel for EVs, as well as oil extraction and refining for gasoline vehicles. It would provide insight into how resource demands affect ecosystems and communities.",
+        "I can answer by assessing the policy and infrastructure implications on environmental impacts. This would involve examining how government policies, incentives, and charging infrastructure developments influence the adoption of electric vehicles and their environmental benefits. This approach considers how regulatory frameworks can mitigate or exacerbate environmental impacts through strategic planning and investment."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a lifecycle analysis of both electric and gasoline vehicles. This approach would encompass the environmental impacts from raw material extraction, manufacturing, usage, and disposal stages. By examining each phase, I can provide a comprehensive comparison of their respective carbon footprints and resource utilizations."
+    }
+  ],
+  "ibfs_config": {
+    "diversity_level": "low",
+    "branching_factor": 4,
+    "max_depth": 1
+  },
+  "user_config": {
+    "epsilon": 0.2
+  },
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T14:13:05.418370",
+  "similarity_score": 0.9,
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_141119",
+  "simulation_id": 5
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_141119_sim_6.json

@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+{
+  "query": "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?",
+  "user_id": "a871da43-2d15-478c-87fe-d769ca9bb1eb",
+  "ibfs_id": "80d22b70-3d63-42dd-95be-4450cb6938fd",
+  "user_preferred_answer": "Electric vehicles (EVs) are often touted as a sustainable alternative to traditional gasoline vehicles, and understanding their environmental impacts is crucial in evaluating this claim. Here's a comprehensive comparison of the two:\n\n1. **Emissions During Operation:**\n   - **Electric Vehicles:** EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, which means they do not emit carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, or particulate matter during operation. This can lead to significant improvements in air quality, especially in urban areas with high traffic congestion.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles:** Traditional vehicles burn fossil fuels and emit a considerable amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like CO2, as well as other pollutants that contribute to air pollution and health problems.\n\n2. **Lifecycle Emissions:**\n   - **Electric Vehicles:** The production of EVs can result in higher initial emissions, primarily due to battery manufacturing, which involves energy-intensive processes and the extraction of metals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. However, over their lifespan, EVs typically have lower overall emissions compared to gasoline vehicles, especially when charged with renewable energy sources.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles:** While gasoline vehicles may have lower manufacturing emissions, their lifetime emissions are significantly higher due to the continuous burning of fossil fuels.\n\n3. **Energy Source and Efficiency:**\n   - **Electric Vehicles:** EVs are generally more energy-efficient than gasoline vehicles. The efficiency of an EV can be influenced by the electricity mix used for charging. In regions where electricity is generated from renewable sources, the environmental benefits of EVs are maximized.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles:** These vehicles are less efficient, as a significant portion of the energy in gasoline is lost as heat. Additionally, the extraction, refining, and transportation of oil further add to their environmental impact.\n\n4. **Resource Extraction:**\n   - **Electric Vehicles:** The need for battery materials involves mining activities that can lead to habitat destruction, water pollution, and other environmental concerns. However, advancements in battery recycling and sustainable mining practices are being developed to mitigate these impacts.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles:** The oil industry\u2019s extraction and production processes can result in significant environmental degradation, including oil spills, habitat destruction, and water pollution.\n\n5. **End-of-Life and Recycling:**\n   - **Electric Vehicles:** Battery disposal and recycling are critical challenges. However, the development of effective recycling techniques is underway, which can help recover valuable materials and reduce environmental harm.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles:** Traditional vehicles are easier to recycle, but the environmental damage from oil and fuel leaks during their lifespan can be significant.\n\n6. **Impact on Ecosystems:**\n   - **Electric Vehicles:** While the transition to EVs can reduce air and noise pollution, the extraction of raw materials for batteries can impact ecosystems if not managed sustainably.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles:** Their emissions contribute to air pollution, acid rain, and climate change, which can have widespread effects on ecosystems.\n\nIn summary, while electric vehicles have some environmental challenges, particularly related to battery production and resource extraction, their overall impact is generally less harmful than that of traditional gasoline vehicles, especially when considering the long-term benefits of reduced operational emissions and the potential for greener electricity sources. As technology advances and the energy grid becomes cleaner, the environmental advantages of EVs are expected to grow.",
+  "final_answer": "To assess the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) compared to traditional gasoline vehicles, a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) provides a comprehensive analysis. This approach considers all phases of a vehicle's life, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal or recycling.\n\n### 1. Raw Material Extraction\n\n#### Electric Vehicles:\n- **Battery Materials**: EVs require lithium, cobalt, nickel, and other rare earth metals for their batteries. The extraction of these materials can have significant environmental impacts, including habitat destruction, water pollution, and high energy consumption.\n- **Other Components**: EVs also use aluminum and copper, which require energy-intensive mining processes.\n\n#### Gasoline Vehicles:\n- **Fossil Fuels**: The extraction of crude oil for gasoline involves drilling and refining, which can lead to oil spills, habitat disruption, and greenhouse gas emissions.\n- **Metals**: Gasoline vehicles also require steel and aluminum, but generally in smaller quantities than the metals needed for EV batteries.\n\n### 2. Manufacturing Processes\n\n#### Electric Vehicles:\n- **Battery Production**: Manufacturing EV batteries is energy-intensive and contributes significantly to the vehicle's initial carbon footprint. However, advancements in battery technology and production efficiency are reducing these impacts.\n- **Vehicle Assembly**: Similar to gasoline vehicles, but with additional processes for integrating electric drivetrains and battery systems.\n\n#### Gasoline Vehicles:\n- **Engine Production**: Manufacturing internal combustion engines involves complex processes that also consume energy and resources.\n- **Vehicle Assembly**: Generally less complex than EVs due to the absence of large battery systems.\n\n### 3. Transportation Logistics\n\nBoth EVs and gasoline vehicles require transportation from manufacturing sites to dealerships. This phase contributes to emissions through the use of ships, trains, and trucks. The impact is relatively similar for both vehicle types, although the heavier weight of EVs due to batteries can slightly increase transportation emissions.\n\n### 4. Operational Lifespan\n\n#### Electric Vehicles:\n- **Energy Source**: The environmental impact during the use phase largely depends on the electricity mix. In regions with renewable energy, EVs have significantly lower emissions. However, in areas reliant on coal, the benefits are reduced.\n- **Efficiency**: EVs are generally more energy-efficient than gasoline vehicles, converting more energy from the grid into miles driven.\n\n#### Gasoline Vehicles:\n- **Fuel Combustion**: Gasoline vehicles emit carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants directly from the tailpipe, contributing to air pollution and climate change.\n- **Fuel Efficiency**: Improvements in fuel efficiency have reduced emissions over time, but they still lag behind the potential emissions reductions from EVs.\n\n### 5. End-of-Life Recycling or Disposal\n\n#### Electric Vehicles:\n- **Battery Recycling**: The recycling of EV batteries is crucial to reduce environmental impacts. Current technologies allow for the recovery of some materials, but the process is still developing.\n- **Vehicle Recycling**: Similar to gasoline vehicles, with additional challenges related to battery disposal.\n\n#### Gasoline Vehicles:\n- **Recycling**: Established processes exist for recycling metals and other materials from gasoline vehicles. However, the disposal of engine fluids and other hazardous materials remains a concern.\n\n### Conclusion\n\nOverall, electric vehicles tend to have a higher environmental impact during the raw material extraction and manufacturing phases, primarily due to battery production. However, they generally offer significant environmental benefits during the operational phase, especially when powered by renewable energy sources. The end-of-life phase presents challenges for both vehicle types, but advancements in recycling technologies are helping to mitigate these impacts. While both vehicle types have environmental impacts, the potential for EVs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution during their use phase makes them a more sustainable option in the long term, particularly as the energy grid becomes greener.",
+  "strategy_path": [
+    "I can answer by conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) for both electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve examining the environmental impacts from the production phase, the operational phase, and the disposal/recycling phase of each type of vehicle to provide a comprehensive comparison.",
+    "I can answer by focusing on a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) for both electric and gasoline vehicles, which includes detailed analysis of raw material extraction, manufacturing processes, transportation logistics, the full operational lifespan with real-world driving data, and end-of-life recycling or disposal processes. This comprehensive approach ensures all phases of the vehicle's life are examined for environmental impacts."
+  ],
+  "history": [
+    {
+      "depth": 0,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) for both electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve examining the environmental impacts from the production phase, the operational phase, and the disposal/recycling phase of each type of vehicle to provide a comprehensive comparison.",
+        "I can answer by focusing on the emissions during the use phase of the vehicles. This approach would compare the tailpipe emissions of gasoline vehicles with the emissions related to electricity generation for EVs, considering factors like the energy mix of the grid and advancements in battery technology.",
+        "I can answer by analyzing the resource extraction and material sourcing for both types of vehicles. This would involve looking into the mining and processing of raw materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel for EV batteries, as well as the extraction and refining of oil for gasoline vehicles.",
+        "I can answer by exploring the infrastructure and energy supply chains required for each vehicle type. This approach would examine the environmental impacts of building and maintaining charging stations and electricity grids for EVs, compared to the impacts associated with refining and distributing gasoline."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) for both electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve examining the environmental impacts from the production phase, the operational phase, and the disposal/recycling phase of each type of vehicle to provide a comprehensive comparison."
+    },
+    {
+      "depth": 1,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by focusing on a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) for both electric and gasoline vehicles, which includes detailed analysis of raw material extraction, manufacturing processes, transportation logistics, the full operational lifespan with real-world driving data, and end-of-life recycling or disposal processes. This comprehensive approach ensures all phases of the vehicle's life are examined for environmental impacts.",
+        "I can answer by conducting a comparative LCA that emphasizes regional variations in electricity generation for EVs, such as coal-based vs. renewable energy grids, and how these sources affect the overall environmental footprint compared to gasoline vehicles. By tailoring the assessment to specific geographic areas, we can better understand the localized environmental impacts.",
+        "I can answer by performing a time-based LCA, where I evaluate the environmental impacts of EVs and gasoline vehicles over different time horizons. This would involve assessing short-term impacts, such as initial manufacturing emissions, and long-term impacts, like battery degradation and fuel efficiency changes, to provide a dynamic view of their environmental implications over time.",
+        "I can answer by integrating a social and economic dimension into the LCA, where I assess not only the environmental impacts but also the societal benefits or drawbacks, such as job creation in manufacturing sectors and potential health benefits from reduced emissions. This holistic approach can offer a broader perspective on the trade-offs between electric and gasoline vehicles."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by focusing on a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) for both electric and gasoline vehicles, which includes detailed analysis of raw material extraction, manufacturing processes, transportation logistics, the full operational lifespan with real-world driving data, and end-of-life recycling or disposal processes. This comprehensive approach ensures all phases of the vehicle's life are examined for environmental impacts."
+    }
+  ],
+  "ibfs_config": {
+    "diversity_level": "low",
+    "branching_factor": 4,
+    "max_depth": 2
+  },
+  "user_config": {
+    "epsilon": 0.2
+  },
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T14:13:35.903125",
+  "similarity_score": 0.9,
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_141119",
+  "simulation_id": 6
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_141119_sim_7.json

@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+{
+  "query": "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?",
+  "user_id": "8fdbe0d1-ab98-4d89-a2dc-3f2a20a01566",
+  "ibfs_id": "69b76df7-b531-43b8-ae1a-0a9a5054ae7f",
+  "user_preferred_answer": "When comparing the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) to traditional gasoline vehicles, several key factors need to be considered, including emissions during operation, the production process, and end-of-life disposal.\n\n1. **Operational Emissions**:\n   - **Electric Vehicles**: EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, which significantly reduces local air pollution, particularly in urban areas. This is a major advantage over gasoline vehicles, which emit carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter, contributing to air pollution and climate change.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: These vehicles rely on internal combustion engines that burn fossil fuels, directly emitting CO2 and other pollutants. This contributes to global warming and has adverse health effects on humans due to air quality degradation.\n\n2. **Lifecycle Emissions**:\n   - **Electric Vehicles**: While EVs have higher emissions during the manufacturing phase, primarily due to battery production, they generally have a smaller carbon footprint over their lifetime. This is because electricity generation, even when accounting for fossil fuels, tends to be cleaner than burning gasoline. As the energy grid becomes greener, the lifecycle emissions of EVs are expected to decrease further.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: They typically have lower emissions during manufacturing compared to EVs but higher lifetime emissions due to fuel combustion. The continuous use of gasoline results in higher cumulative emissions, making them less environmentally friendly over the vehicle's lifespan.\n\n3. **Energy Source**:\n   - The environmental benefit of EVs heavily depends on the energy mix used for electricity generation. In regions where renewable energy sources (such as wind, solar, or hydropower) are prevalent, the environmental benefits of EVs are maximized. However, in areas reliant on coal or other fossil fuels, the advantage diminishes but still generally remains better than gasoline vehicles.\n\n4. **Resource Extraction and Battery Production**:\n   - **Electric Vehicles**: The production of lithium-ion batteries requires mining of materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which can have significant environmental and social impacts. Sustainable sourcing and advancements in battery technology are critical to reducing these impacts.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: The extraction and refining of oil for gasoline also have substantial environmental effects, including habitat destruction, water contamination, and oil spills, which are detrimental to ecosystems.\n\n5. **End-of-Life Management**:\n   - **Electric Vehicles**: EV batteries present a unique challenge due to their size and chemical complexity. However, advancements in battery recycling and second-life applications (such as energy storage) are improving the sustainability of EVs.\n   - **Gasoline Vehicles**: These vehicles can be more straightforward to recycle, but the continuous need for fossil fuels remains an ongoing environmental concern.\n\nIn conclusion, while both vehicle types have environmental impacts, electric vehicles offer significant advantages in reducing emissions and improving air quality, especially as electricity grids become cleaner. Efforts to enhance battery technology, recycling, and sustainable mining practices are crucial to maximizing the environmental benefits of EVs.",
+  "final_answer": "To assess the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) compared to traditional gasoline vehicles using a time-based life cycle assessment (LCA), we need to consider several stages of the vehicle lifecycle: production, use, and end-of-life, while also accounting for projected technological advancements and changes in energy sources over time.\n\n### 1. Production Phase\n\n- **Electric Vehicles (EVs):**\n  - **Current Impact:** The production of EVs, particularly the battery manufacturing, is more energy-intensive than that of gasoline vehicles. This is primarily due to the extraction and processing of raw materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel.\n  - **Future Projections:** Over time, advancements in battery technology, such as solid-state batteries, and improvements in manufacturing processes are expected to reduce the energy intensity and environmental impact of battery production. Additionally, increased recycling of battery materials will further mitigate these impacts.\n\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:**\n  - **Current Impact:** The production of gasoline vehicles is less energy-intensive compared to EVs, mainly due to the absence of large battery packs.\n  - **Future Projections:** While improvements in manufacturing efficiency are expected, the fundamental materials and processes involved in gasoline vehicle production are not projected to change significantly.\n\n### 2. Use Phase\n\n- **Electric Vehicles (EVs):**\n  - **Current Impact:** EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, leading to significant reductions in local air pollutants compared to gasoline vehicles. However, the environmental impact during the use phase is influenced by the electricity grid's energy mix.\n  - **Future Projections:** As the grid becomes increasingly decarbonized with more renewable energy sources like wind and solar, the carbon footprint of operating EVs will decrease substantially. This shift is expected to make EVs significantly cleaner over their lifetime compared to gasoline vehicles.\n\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:**\n  - **Current Impact:** Gasoline vehicles emit carbon dioxide and other pollutants during operation. The environmental impact is directly related to fuel efficiency and the carbon content of the fuel.\n  - **Future Projections:** While improvements in fuel efficiency and the development of cleaner fuels can reduce emissions, gasoline vehicles will continue to produce direct emissions as long as they rely on internal combustion engines.\n\n### 3. End-of-Life Phase\n\n- **Electric Vehicles (EVs):**\n  - **Current Impact:** The recycling of EV batteries is still developing, but it is crucial for minimizing environmental impacts. Current processes are energy-intensive and not yet widely implemented.\n  - **Future Projections:** Advances in battery recycling technologies and increased infrastructure for recycling are expected to reduce the environmental impacts associated with the disposal of EV batteries. This will also help recover valuable materials, reducing the need for new raw material extraction.\n\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:**\n  - **Current Impact:** The end-of-life phase for gasoline vehicles is relatively well-established, with many components being recyclable.\n  - **Future Projections:** While recycling processes may become more efficient, the overall impact is not expected to change dramatically, as the materials and components involved remain largely the same.\n\n### Conclusion\n\nOver time, the environmental impacts of electric vehicles are projected to decrease significantly due to advancements in battery technology, increased reliance on renewable energy sources, and improved recycling processes. In contrast, while gasoline vehicles may see some improvements in efficiency and emissions, their fundamental reliance on fossil fuels limits their potential for significant environmental impact reduction. Therefore, from a long-term perspective, EVs are expected to offer substantial environmental benefits over traditional gasoline vehicles.",
+  "strategy_path": [
+    "I can answer by conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) comparison, which examines the environmental impacts of electric vehicles and traditional gasoline vehicles from production to disposal. This would include evaluating aspects such as raw material extraction, manufacturing processes, vehicle operation emissions, and end-of-life recycling or disposal, providing a comprehensive overview of their environmental footprints.",
+    "I can answer by performing a time-based life cycle assessment (LCA), which assesses how the environmental impacts of electric and gasoline vehicles evolve over time. This approach examines the projected changes in technology, energy sources, and recycling processes over the lifespan of the vehicles, offering a dynamic perspective on their long-term environmental impacts."
+  ],
+  "history": [
+    {
+      "depth": 0,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) comparison, which examines the environmental impacts of electric vehicles and traditional gasoline vehicles from production to disposal. This would include evaluating aspects such as raw material extraction, manufacturing processes, vehicle operation emissions, and end-of-life recycling or disposal, providing a comprehensive overview of their environmental footprints.",
+        "I can answer by focusing on the operational phase only, comparing the emissions and energy efficiency of electric vehicles versus gasoline vehicles when in use. This would involve analyzing data on greenhouse gas emissions, air pollutants, and the energy sources used for electricity generation, providing insight into their impacts during the vehicle's lifetime.",
+        "I can answer by exploring the supply chain and resource availability impacts, particularly the mining and processing of key materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel for electric vehicle batteries versus the extraction and refining of crude oil for gasoline. This approach would highlight the environmental and social impacts associated with obtaining essential resources for each type of vehicle.",
+        "I can answer by examining policy and infrastructure factors that influence the environmental impacts of both vehicle types, such as government incentives for electric vehicles, availability and development of charging stations, and the impact of electricity grid composition on overall emissions. This would provide a perspective on how external factors can alter the environmental outcomes of electric versus gasoline vehicles."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) comparison, which examines the environmental impacts of electric vehicles and traditional gasoline vehicles from production to disposal. This would include evaluating aspects such as raw material extraction, manufacturing processes, vehicle operation emissions, and end-of-life recycling or disposal, providing a comprehensive overview of their environmental footprints."
+    },
+    {
+      "depth": 1,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a hotspot analysis within the life cycle assessment (LCA), which focuses on identifying the most significant environmental impacts in the life cycle stages of both electric and gasoline vehicles. This approach zeroes in on critical points such as battery production for electric vehicles and fuel extraction for gasoline vehicles, providing insights into which aspects contribute most to their overall environmental impact.",
+        "I can answer by implementing a sensitivity analysis as part of the life cycle assessment (LCA), which involves varying key assumptions and parameters such as electricity grid composition and fuel efficiency. This approach evaluates how changes in these factors can influence the comparative environmental impacts of electric and gasoline vehicles, helping to understand the robustness of the LCA outcomes.",
+        "I can answer by conducting a regional life cycle assessment (LCA) comparison, which examines how the environmental impacts of electric and gasoline vehicles differ across various geographic locations. This approach considers regional differences in electricity generation sources, manufacturing practices, and waste management infrastructures, providing tailored insights into their environmental footprints in different contexts.",
+        "I can answer by performing a time-based life cycle assessment (LCA), which assesses how the environmental impacts of electric and gasoline vehicles evolve over time. This approach examines the projected changes in technology, energy sources, and recycling processes over the lifespan of the vehicles, offering a dynamic perspective on their long-term environmental impacts."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 3,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by performing a time-based life cycle assessment (LCA), which assesses how the environmental impacts of electric and gasoline vehicles evolve over time. This approach examines the projected changes in technology, energy sources, and recycling processes over the lifespan of the vehicles, offering a dynamic perspective on their long-term environmental impacts."
+    }
+  ],
+  "ibfs_config": {
+    "diversity_level": "low",
+    "branching_factor": 4,
+    "max_depth": 2
+  },
+  "user_config": {
+    "epsilon": 0.2
+  },
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T14:13:45.547891",
+  "similarity_score": 0.8,
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_141119",
+  "simulation_id": 7
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_141119_sim_8.json

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+{
+  "query": "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?",
+  "user_id": "f5ca8dd3-6754-4582-8da6-89aaa03a680e",
+  "ibfs_id": "e730baa9-8a4c-47be-a7c9-6cf1904c89e8",
+  "user_preferred_answer": "Electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles each have distinct environmental impacts that are important to consider when evaluating their overall sustainability.\n\n**1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions:**\n- **Electric Vehicles:** EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, which is a significant advantage in reducing local air pollution and greenhouse gases in urban areas. However, the overall environmental impact of EVs depends on the source of the electricity used to charge them. In regions where electricity is generated from renewable sources like wind, solar, or hydroelectric power, the greenhouse gas emissions of EVs are significantly lower compared to gasoline vehicles. Conversely, in areas reliant on coal-fired power plants, the emissions can be higher, although still generally less than those from gasoline vehicles.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** These vehicles emit carbon dioxide (CO2) and other pollutants directly from the tailpipe. The emissions are a direct result of burning fossil fuels, contributing significantly to global warming and air quality issues.\n\n**2. Energy Efficiency:**\n- **Electric Vehicles:** EVs are typically more energy-efficient than gasoline vehicles. They convert over 77% of the electrical energy from the grid to power at the wheels, whereas gasoline vehicles only convert about 12%\u201330% of the energy stored in gasoline to power at the wheels.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** These vehicles lose a significant amount of energy through engine heat and exhaust, making them less efficient compared to EVs.\n\n**3. Resource Extraction and Manufacturing:**\n- **Electric Vehicles:** The production of EVs, particularly their batteries, requires significant amounts of raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Mining and processing these materials can have substantial environmental impacts, including habitat destruction and pollution. Advancements in battery recycling and sustainable mining practices are crucial for minimizing these impacts.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** The environmental impact of traditional vehicles largely stems from oil extraction, refining, and transportation. These processes can lead to oil spills, habitat destruction, and pollution.\n\n**4. End-of-Life and Recycling:**\n- **Electric Vehicles:** The disposal of EV batteries poses environmental challenges. However, advancements in recycling technologies are being developed to mitigate these issues by recovering valuable materials and reducing landfill waste.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** While traditional vehicles don\u2019t have the same battery disposal issue, they do require the disposal of various fluids and components that can be environmentally harmful if not properly managed.\n\n**5. Long-Term Sustainability:**\n- **Electric Vehicles:** As the grid becomes greener and battery technologies improve, the environmental benefits of EVs are expected to increase. The shift towards renewable energy sources further enhances the long-term sustainability of EVs.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** The reliance on fossil fuels is a major limitation for traditional vehicles, as it is unsustainable in the long term due to finite resources and the need to reduce carbon emissions to combat climate change.\n\nIn conclusion, while both electric and gasoline vehicles have environmental impacts, EVs generally offer a more sustainable option, particularly as the energy grid becomes cleaner and battery technologies advance. The transition to renewable energy and improvements in battery recycling will further enhance the environmental benefits of electric vehicles over time.",
+  "final_answer": "To compare the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles, we need to examine the emissions and environmental degradation associated with the energy sources used to power each type of vehicle. This involves looking at the electricity generation process for EVs and the gasoline production and combustion process for traditional vehicles.\n\n### Electric Vehicles (EVs)\n\n1. **Electricity Generation:**\n   - The environmental impact of EVs largely depends on the energy mix used to generate electricity. In regions where electricity is primarily generated from renewable sources such as wind, solar, or hydroelectric power, the emissions associated with EVs are significantly lower.\n   - In contrast, if the electricity comes from fossil fuels like coal or natural gas, the emissions can be higher. Coal-fired power plants, in particular, produce substantial greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.\n   - The regional variation in energy sources is crucial. For example, in countries like Norway, where a large portion of electricity comes from hydropower, EVs have a much lower carbon footprint compared to regions heavily reliant on coal.\n\n2. **Lifecycle Emissions:**\n   - While EVs have zero tailpipe emissions, the production of their batteries can be resource-intensive, involving mining and processing of materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. This can lead to environmental degradation if not managed sustainably.\n   - However, over the lifespan of the vehicle, the reduced operational emissions often offset the initial environmental costs of battery production, especially as battery recycling and production processes improve.\n\n### Traditional Gasoline Vehicles\n\n1. **Gasoline Production:**\n   - The extraction, refining, and transportation of crude oil to produce gasoline are energy-intensive processes that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation. Oil drilling can lead to habitat destruction, oil spills, and water contamination.\n   - Refining crude oil into gasoline involves significant energy use and emissions of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.\n\n2. **Combustion Emissions:**\n   - Gasoline vehicles emit carbon dioxide (CO2), a major greenhouse gas, directly from the tailpipe during combustion. They also produce other pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to air pollution and health issues.\n   - Unlike EVs, the emissions from gasoline vehicles are consistent regardless of the region, as they are directly tied to the combustion of gasoline.\n\n### Conclusion\n\nThe environmental impact of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles is heavily influenced by the source of the electricity used to charge them. In regions with a clean energy grid, EVs offer significant environmental benefits over gasoline vehicles due to lower lifecycle emissions. However, in areas dependent on fossil fuels for electricity, the benefits may be reduced, though EVs still avoid the direct tailpipe emissions associated with gasoline vehicles. As the global energy mix shifts towards more renewable sources, the environmental advantages of EVs are expected to increase.",
+  "strategy_path": [
+    "I can answer by focusing on the specific environmental impacts associated with the energy sources used to power each type of vehicle. This approach would compare the emissions and environmental degradation linked to the electricity generation process for EVs against those associated with gasoline production and combustion, considering factors such as the energy mix (renewable vs. fossil fuels) and regional variations in energy sources."
+  ],
+  "history": [
+    {
+      "depth": 0,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a comprehensive lifecycle analysis of both electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve examining the environmental impacts at each stage of the vehicle's life, including raw material extraction, manufacturing, use, and end-of-life disposal or recycling, to provide a detailed comparison of their overall ecological footprints.",
+        "I can answer by focusing on the specific environmental impacts associated with the energy sources used to power each type of vehicle. This approach would compare the emissions and environmental degradation linked to the electricity generation process for EVs against those associated with gasoline production and combustion, considering factors such as the energy mix (renewable vs. fossil fuels) and regional variations in energy sources."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 1,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by focusing on the specific environmental impacts associated with the energy sources used to power each type of vehicle. This approach would compare the emissions and environmental degradation linked to the electricity generation process for EVs against those associated with gasoline production and combustion, considering factors such as the energy mix (renewable vs. fossil fuels) and regional variations in energy sources."
+    }
+  ],
+  "ibfs_config": {
+    "diversity_level": "medium",
+    "branching_factor": 2,
+    "max_depth": 1
+  },
+  "user_config": {
+    "epsilon": 0.2
+  },
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T14:14:03.424808",
+  "similarity_score": 0.9,
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_141119",
+  "simulation_id": 8
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_141119_sim_9.json

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+{
+  "query": "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?",
+  "user_id": "b94d3f42-145c-4f98-b6eb-3cc3df41aa8e",
+  "ibfs_id": "d808e45e-5574-40e9-9f79-45dee86d1ff7",
+  "user_preferred_answer": "Electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles each have distinct environmental impacts, and understanding these differences is crucial for evaluating their roles in sustainable transportation.\n\n**1. Emissions:**\n\n- **Tailpipe Emissions:** EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, which significantly reduces air pollution in urban areas, leading to improvements in public health and local air quality. Gasoline vehicles, on the other hand, emit carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter, and other pollutants that contribute to smog and respiratory problems.\n\n- **Lifecycle Emissions:** While EVs have higher emissions during production, primarily due to battery manufacturing, they tend to have lower overall lifecycle emissions compared to gasoline vehicles. This is because they compensate for these initial emissions through cleaner operation over time, especially if powered by renewable energy sources. As the grid becomes greener, the lifecycle emissions of EVs continue to decrease.\n\n**2. Energy Source:**\n\n- **Electricity vs. Fossil Fuels:** EVs are as clean as the electricity that powers them. In regions where electricity is generated from renewable sources like wind, solar, or hydro, EVs have a significantly lower carbon footprint. Conversely, gasoline vehicles rely on fossil fuels, which are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.\n\n- **Energy Efficiency:** EVs are generally more energy-efficient than gasoline vehicles. Electric motors convert over 77% of the electrical energy from the grid to power at the wheels, whereas gasoline vehicles convert only about 12%\u201330% of the energy stored in gasoline.\n\n**3. Resource Extraction and Production:**\n\n- **Battery Production:** The production of EV batteries involves mining for lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which can have significant environmental and social impacts, including habitat destruction, water pollution, and human rights concerns. However, advancements in battery technology and recycling are helping mitigate these issues over time.\n\n- **Oil Extraction and Refining:** Gasoline production involves oil extraction, which can lead to oil spills and environmental degradation. The refining process also emits pollutants and requires substantial energy, often sourced from fossil fuels.\n\n**4. End-of-Life Considerations:**\n\n- **Recycling and Disposal:** EVs, especially their batteries, present challenges and opportunities in terms of recycling and disposal. Efforts are underway to improve recycling technologies to reclaim valuable materials and reduce environmental impact. Gasoline vehicles, consisting of metal and other materials, are also recyclable, but the disposal of used oil and other fluids can pose environmental risks.\n\n**5. Infrastructure and Land Use:**\n\n- **Charging Infrastructure:** Expanding EV infrastructure requires investment and land use considerations, but it can lead to a cleaner, more sustainable transportation system over time. Gasoline infrastructure is well-established but contributes to ongoing environmental issues related to fuel transport and storage.\n\nIn conclusion, while EVs are not without environmental challenges, especially concerning battery production and resource extraction, they offer significant long-term benefits over traditional gasoline vehicles. These benefits include reduced emissions, improved air quality, and better alignment with renewable energy pathways. As technology and infrastructure continue to evolve, the environmental advantages of EVs are likely to increase, making them a crucial component of a sustainable transportation future.",
+  "final_answer": "To compare the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles, we will examine specific environmental impact categories: air pollution, resource depletion, and greenhouse gas emissions.\n\n### Air Pollution\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- Gasoline vehicles emit pollutants directly from their tailpipes, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These emissions contribute to smog, respiratory problems, and other health issues.\n- The combustion of gasoline also releases carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas, although this is more relevant to the greenhouse gas emissions category.\n\n**Electric Vehicles:**\n- EVs have no tailpipe emissions, which means they do not directly emit NOx, CO, PM, or VOCs during operation.\n- However, the electricity used to charge EVs can lead to air pollution, depending on the energy mix of the grid. If the electricity is generated from fossil fuels like coal or natural gas, there are emissions associated with power generation, including NOx, SO2, and PM.\n- The extent of air pollution from EVs depends on the cleanliness of the electricity grid. In regions with a high percentage of renewable energy, the air pollution impact is significantly lower.\n\n### Resource Depletion\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- Resource depletion for gasoline vehicles primarily involves the extraction and refining of crude oil. This process requires significant energy and water resources and can lead to environmental degradation, such as oil spills and habitat destruction.\n- The infrastructure for oil extraction and refining is extensive and has long-term environmental impacts.\n\n**Electric Vehicles:**\n- EVs rely on batteries, typically lithium-ion, which require raw materials like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite. The extraction and processing of these materials can lead to significant environmental impacts, including habitat destruction, water pollution, and high energy use.\n- Mining for these materials can also have social and ethical implications, particularly in regions with poor labor practices.\n- The recycling and disposal of batteries pose additional challenges, although advancements in battery recycling technology are ongoing.\n\n### Greenhouse Gas Emissions\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- The production of gasoline vehicles involves emissions from manufacturing processes, but the most significant emissions occur during the operational phase due to the combustion of gasoline.\n- On average, gasoline vehicles emit about 2.3 kg of CO2 per liter of gasoline burned, contributing significantly to climate change over their lifetime.\n\n**Electric Vehicles:**\n- The production of EVs, particularly the battery, is energy-intensive and results in higher initial greenhouse gas emissions compared to gasoline vehicles.\n- However, during the operational phase, EVs typically have lower emissions, especially if charged with low-carbon electricity. Over time, the total lifecycle emissions of EVs can be lower than those of gasoline vehicles, depending on the energy mix used for electricity generation.\n- As the electricity grid becomes greener, the greenhouse gas emissions associated with EVs will continue to decrease.\n\nIn summary, while electric vehicles offer significant advantages in terms of reducing tailpipe emissions and potentially lowering greenhouse gas emissions over their lifetime, they also present challenges related to resource depletion and initial production emissions. The overall environmental impact of EVs compared to gasoline vehicles depends heavily on the energy sources used for electricity generation and advancements in battery technology and recycling.",
+  "strategy_path": [
+    "I can answer by examining specific environmental impact categories separately, such as air pollution, resource depletion, and greenhouse gas emissions. For air pollution, I would compare emissions from the tailpipe of gasoline vehicles with the emissions from electricity generation for EVs. For resource depletion, I would focus on the extraction and processing of raw materials needed for battery production in EVs, compared to oil extraction and refining for gasoline. Additionally, I would analyze the greenhouse gas emissions from both the production and operational phases of each vehicle type, providing a detailed comparison of their contributions to climate change."
+  ],
+  "history": [
+    {
+      "depth": 0,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) for both electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach involves evaluating the environmental impacts at each stage of the vehicle's life cycle, from raw material extraction, manufacturing, and usage, to disposal or recycling. By comparing the energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and resource use across these stages, I can provide a comprehensive analysis of the overall environmental footprint of both types of vehicles.",
+        "I can answer by examining specific environmental impact categories separately, such as air pollution, resource depletion, and greenhouse gas emissions. For air pollution, I would compare emissions from the tailpipe of gasoline vehicles with the emissions from electricity generation for EVs. For resource depletion, I would focus on the extraction and processing of raw materials needed for battery production in EVs, compared to oil extraction and refining for gasoline. Additionally, I would analyze the greenhouse gas emissions from both the production and operational phases of each vehicle type, providing a detailed comparison of their contributions to climate change."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 1,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by examining specific environmental impact categories separately, such as air pollution, resource depletion, and greenhouse gas emissions. For air pollution, I would compare emissions from the tailpipe of gasoline vehicles with the emissions from electricity generation for EVs. For resource depletion, I would focus on the extraction and processing of raw materials needed for battery production in EVs, compared to oil extraction and refining for gasoline. Additionally, I would analyze the greenhouse gas emissions from both the production and operational phases of each vehicle type, providing a detailed comparison of their contributions to climate change."
+    }
+  ],
+  "ibfs_config": {
+    "diversity_level": "medium",
+    "branching_factor": 2,
+    "max_depth": 1
+  },
+  "user_config": {
+    "epsilon": 0.2
+  },
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T14:14:13.689224",
+  "similarity_score": 0.9,
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_141119",
+  "simulation_id": 9
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_160620_config.json

@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+{
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_160620",
+  "queries": [
+    "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?"
+  ],
+  "diversity_levels": [
+    "low",
+    "medium"
+  ],
+  "branching_factors": [
+    2,
+    4
+  ],
+  "max_depths": [
+    1,
+    2
+  ],
+  "epsilon_values": [
+    0.2
+  ],
+  "repetitions": 10,
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T16:06:20.391323"
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_160627_config.json

@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+{
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_160627",
+  "queries": [
+    "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?"
+  ],
+  "diversity_levels": [
+    "low",
+    "medium"
+  ],
+  "branching_factors": [
+    2,
+    4
+  ],
+  "max_depths": [
+    1,
+    2
+  ],
+  "epsilon_values": [
+    0.2
+  ],
+  "repetitions": 10,
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T16:06:27.301057"
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_160627_sim_0.json

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+{
+  "query": "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?",
+  "user_id": "a00f9058-2cf5-4e3b-9c12-434c54c8db3a",
+  "ibfs_id": "80f9f3ed-49da-4e30-807e-6ea515abe5a9",
+  "user_preferred_answer": "Electric vehicles reduce emissions and reliance on fossil fuels but require energy-intensive battery production, impacting environmental sustainability.",
+  "final_answer": "To conduct a comparative lifecycle analysis of the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) versus traditional gasoline vehicles, we need to examine several stages: production, operation, and end-of-life disposal. Each stage has distinct environmental implications for both types of vehicles.\n\n### 1. Production\n\n#### Electric Vehicles:\n- **Battery Production**: The production of EVs, particularly the lithium-ion batteries, is resource-intensive. Key materials include lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite. Mining and processing these materials can have significant environmental impacts, such as habitat destruction, water pollution, and high energy consumption.\n- **Manufacturing Emissions**: EVs generally require more energy to produce than gasoline vehicles, primarily due to the battery. This results in higher initial carbon emissions during manufacturing.\n\n#### Gasoline Vehicles:\n- **Oil Extraction and Refining**: The production of gasoline vehicles involves the extraction and refining of oil, which can lead to oil spills, habitat disruption, and significant greenhouse gas emissions.\n- **Vehicle Manufacturing**: The manufacturing process for gasoline vehicles is less energy-intensive compared to EVs, resulting in lower initial carbon emissions.\n\n### 2. Operation\n\n#### Electric Vehicles:\n- **Energy Source**: The environmental impact during the operation of EVs largely depends on the electricity source. If the electricity is generated from renewable sources, the operational emissions are minimal. However, if it comes from coal or natural gas, the emissions can be significant.\n- **Efficiency**: EVs are generally more energy-efficient than gasoline vehicles, converting a higher percentage of energy from the grid to power at the wheels.\n\n#### Gasoline Vehicles:\n- **Fuel Combustion**: Gasoline vehicles emit carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants during operation. The emissions are directly related to fuel consumption and are a major source of urban air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.\n- **Efficiency**: Internal combustion engines are less efficient than electric motors, leading to higher energy consumption and emissions per mile driven.\n\n### 3. End-of-Life Disposal\n\n#### Electric Vehicles:\n- **Battery Recycling**: The disposal of EV batteries poses environmental challenges. However, recycling technologies are improving, allowing for the recovery of valuable materials like lithium and cobalt. Proper recycling can mitigate some environmental impacts.\n- **Vehicle Recycling**: The rest of the vehicle can be recycled similarly to gasoline vehicles, with metals and other materials being reused.\n\n#### Gasoline Vehicles:\n- **Vehicle Recycling**: Gasoline vehicles are typically easier to recycle, as they do not have large batteries. The metals and other materials can be efficiently recovered and reused.\n- **Waste Oil**: Used oil and other fluids need to be disposed of properly to prevent environmental contamination.\n\n### Conclusion\n\nIn summary, electric vehicles have a higher environmental impact during the production phase due to battery manufacturing. However, they offer significant benefits during the operation phase, especially if powered by renewable energy, due to their higher efficiency and lower emissions. The end-of-life disposal of EVs, particularly battery recycling, presents challenges but also opportunities for material recovery. Gasoline vehicles have lower initial production emissions but contribute significantly to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions during operation. Their end-of-life disposal is more straightforward but still requires careful handling of waste fluids. Overall, the environmental benefits of EVs become more pronounced as the electricity grid becomes greener and battery recycling technologies advance.",
+  "strategy_path": [
+    "I can answer by conducting a comparative lifecycle analysis that examines the environmental impacts of both electric and traditional gasoline vehicles from production through disposal. This would include analyzing the emissions produced during manufacturing, the resources used (such as lithium for batteries in electric vehicles versus oil for gasoline vehicles), the energy consumption during operation, and the end-of-life recycling or disposal processes. This comprehensive approach would provide a detailed picture of the overall environmental footprint of each vehicle type."
+  ],
+  "history": [
+    {
+      "depth": 0,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a comparative lifecycle analysis that examines the environmental impacts of both electric and traditional gasoline vehicles from production through disposal. This would include analyzing the emissions produced during manufacturing, the resources used (such as lithium for batteries in electric vehicles versus oil for gasoline vehicles), the energy consumption during operation, and the end-of-life recycling or disposal processes. This comprehensive approach would provide a detailed picture of the overall environmental footprint of each vehicle type.",
+        "I can answer by focusing on the operational phase of both vehicle types, specifically analyzing the emissions during usage and the source of the energy (electricity versus gasoline). I would look into how the electricity for electric vehicles is generated (renewable sources versus fossil fuels) and compare it to the emissions from burning gasoline. This approach highlights the differences in carbon emissions and pollution during the actual use of the vehicles, offering insight into their environmental impact while they are being driven."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a comparative lifecycle analysis that examines the environmental impacts of both electric and traditional gasoline vehicles from production through disposal. This would include analyzing the emissions produced during manufacturing, the resources used (such as lithium for batteries in electric vehicles versus oil for gasoline vehicles), the energy consumption during operation, and the end-of-life recycling or disposal processes. This comprehensive approach would provide a detailed picture of the overall environmental footprint of each vehicle type."
+    }
+  ],
+  "ibfs_config": {
+    "diversity_level": "low",
+    "branching_factor": 2,
+    "max_depth": 1
+  },
+  "user_config": {
+    "epsilon": 0.2
+  },
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T16:06:52.591843",
+  "similarity_score": 0.3,
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_160627",
+  "simulation_id": 0
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_160627_sim_1.json

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+{
+  "query": "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?",
+  "user_id": "46d99c5a-7575-42c7-a908-2e6c04ca7d80",
+  "ibfs_id": "9c4f5dbc-73c9-477c-8104-55130a0b0401",
+  "user_preferred_answer": "Electric vehicles reduce emissions and pollution over their lifecycle, despite requiring resource-intensive production compared to traditional gasoline vehicles.",
+  "final_answer": "To conduct a comparative analysis of the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles, we need to examine the entire lifecycle of both types of vehicles. This includes the production, operation, and disposal phases.\n\n### Production Phase\n\n**Electric Vehicles:**\n- **Raw Material Extraction:** The production of EVs, particularly their batteries, requires significant amounts of raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite. The extraction and processing of these materials can have substantial environmental impacts, including habitat destruction, water pollution, and high energy consumption.\n- **Manufacturing:** The manufacturing process for EVs generally requires more energy compared to gasoline vehicles due to the complexity and energy-intensity of battery production. However, advancements in technology and recycling processes are helping to reduce these impacts.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **Raw Material Extraction:** Gasoline vehicles require steel, aluminum, and other materials, which also involve mining and processing. However, the environmental impact is generally lower than that of battery production for EVs.\n- **Manufacturing:** The manufacturing process for gasoline vehicles is well-established and typically less energy-intensive than that for EVs, primarily because it does not involve battery production.\n\n### Operation Phase\n\n**Electric Vehicles:**\n- **Electricity Generation:** The environmental impact of operating EVs largely depends on the source of electricity used for charging. If the electricity comes from renewable sources like wind or solar, the emissions are minimal. However, if the electricity is generated from coal or natural gas, the emissions can be significant.\n- **Efficiency:** EVs are generally more energy-efficient than gasoline vehicles, converting a higher percentage of energy from the grid to power at the wheels.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **Fuel Combustion:** Gasoline vehicles emit carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter, and other pollutants during fuel combustion. These emissions contribute to air pollution and climate change.\n- **Efficiency:** Internal combustion engines are less efficient than electric motors, with a significant portion of energy lost as heat.\n\n### Disposal Phase\n\n**Electric Vehicles:**\n- **Battery Disposal/Recycling:** The disposal of EV batteries poses environmental challenges due to the toxic materials they contain. However, recycling technologies are improving, allowing for the recovery of valuable materials and reducing environmental harm.\n- **Vehicle Disposal:** The rest of the EV can be recycled similarly to traditional vehicles, but the focus remains on improving battery recycling.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **Vehicle Disposal:** Gasoline vehicles are typically easier to recycle, as they do not contain large batteries. However, the disposal of engine fluids and other hazardous materials must be managed carefully.\n\n### Conclusion\n\nIn summary, both electric and gasoline vehicles have distinct environmental impacts across their lifecycles. Electric vehicles tend to have higher environmental impacts during the production phase due to battery manufacturing but offer significant advantages during the operation phase, especially when charged with renewable energy. Gasoline vehicles have lower production impacts but contribute more to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions during operation. The disposal phase presents challenges for both types, with a particular focus on battery recycling for EVs. Overall, the shift towards renewable energy sources and improved recycling technologies can enhance the environmental benefits of electric vehicles over their lifecycle.",
+  "strategy_path": [
+    "I can answer by conducting a comparative analysis that examines the entire lifecycle of both electric and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve looking at the environmental impacts from production, operation, and disposal phases. For electric vehicles, I would consider the extraction and processing of raw materials for batteries, the electricity sources used for charging, and battery disposal or recycling. For gasoline vehicles, I would focus on the extraction, refining, and combustion of fossil fuels. This comprehensive lifecycle assessment would provide a broad view of the environmental impacts across different stages."
+  ],
+  "history": [
+    {
+      "depth": 0,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a comparative analysis that examines the entire lifecycle of both electric and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve looking at the environmental impacts from production, operation, and disposal phases. For electric vehicles, I would consider the extraction and processing of raw materials for batteries, the electricity sources used for charging, and battery disposal or recycling. For gasoline vehicles, I would focus on the extraction, refining, and combustion of fossil fuels. This comprehensive lifecycle assessment would provide a broad view of the environmental impacts across different stages.",
+        "I can answer by focusing on the operational emissions of electric versus traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach would analyze the emissions produced during the use phase of the vehicles. For electric vehicles, I would examine the emissions related to electricity generation based on different energy mixes (renewable versus non-renewable sources). For gasoline vehicles, I would discuss the direct emissions from burning gasoline. This strategy allows for an evaluation of the immediate environmental impacts related to vehicle use and highlights the differences in carbon footprints during their operation."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a comparative analysis that examines the entire lifecycle of both electric and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve looking at the environmental impacts from production, operation, and disposal phases. For electric vehicles, I would consider the extraction and processing of raw materials for batteries, the electricity sources used for charging, and battery disposal or recycling. For gasoline vehicles, I would focus on the extraction, refining, and combustion of fossil fuels. This comprehensive lifecycle assessment would provide a broad view of the environmental impacts across different stages."
+    }
+  ],
+  "ibfs_config": {
+    "diversity_level": "low",
+    "branching_factor": 2,
+    "max_depth": 1
+  },
+  "user_config": {
+    "epsilon": 0.2
+  },
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T16:06:50.671724",
+  "similarity_score": 0.6,
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_160627",
+  "simulation_id": 1
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_160627_sim_10.json

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+{
+  "query": "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?",
+  "user_id": "c5d4f863-7530-4534-a9ee-640fc803cf2d",
+  "ibfs_id": "76036b0c-d83c-434c-8715-b7e107d106b0",
+  "user_preferred_answer": "Electric vehicles greatly reduce emissions during operation but entail environmental concerns from battery production and electricity generation impacts.",
+  "final_answer": "To assess the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) compared to traditional gasoline vehicles using a regional lifecycle assessment, we need to consider several factors that vary by location, including the energy grid composition, resource availability, and recycling capabilities. This analysis will focus on three distinct regions: a coal-heavy grid, a renewable-heavy grid, and a region with moderate renewable integration.\n\n### Region 1: Coal-Heavy Grid (e.g., parts of the Midwest, USA)\n\n**Energy Production:**\n- **Electric Vehicles (EVs):** In regions where the electricity grid is predominantly powered by coal, the environmental benefits of EVs are reduced. The high carbon emissions associated with coal-fired power plants mean that charging EVs can result in significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, potentially offsetting the benefits of zero tailpipe emissions.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** These vehicles emit GHGs directly through combustion. In a coal-heavy region, the lifecycle emissions of gasoline vehicles might be comparable to or even lower than those of EVs, depending on the specific grid mix.\n\n**Resource Availability and Recycling:**\n- **EVs:** The production of EV batteries requires significant mineral resources, such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. If the region lacks robust recycling facilities, the environmental impact of mining and processing these materials can be substantial.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** The extraction and refining of oil also have environmental impacts, but these are more established processes with existing infrastructure.\n\n### Region 2: Renewable-Heavy Grid (e.g., parts of Scandinavia)\n\n**Energy Production:**\n- **Electric Vehicles (EVs):** In regions where the grid is powered largely by renewables like wind, solar, or hydroelectric power, EVs have a clear environmental advantage. The low-carbon electricity significantly reduces the lifecycle GHG emissions of EVs, making them a much cleaner option compared to gasoline vehicles.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** Despite improvements in fuel efficiency, gasoline vehicles continue to emit GHGs and other pollutants directly, making them less environmentally friendly in regions with clean energy grids.\n\n**Resource Availability and Recycling:**\n- **EVs:** Regions with advanced recycling technologies can mitigate the environmental impact of battery production by recovering valuable materials, reducing the need for new mining operations.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** The environmental impact remains relatively constant, as the primary emissions are from fuel combustion.\n\n### Region 3: Moderate Renewable Integration (e.g., parts of California, USA)\n\n**Energy Production:**\n- **Electric Vehicles (EVs):** In regions with a balanced mix of renewables and fossil fuels, the environmental impact of EVs is moderate. The cleaner the grid, the more beneficial EVs become in terms of reducing GHG emissions.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** While still emitting GHGs, the impact is less severe compared to a coal-heavy region but remains higher than EVs in a renewable-heavy region.\n\n**Resource Availability and Recycling:**\n- **EVs:** With moderate recycling capabilities, the region can partially offset the environmental impact of battery production by reusing materials.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** The environmental impact is primarily dependent on fuel efficiency and emissions standards.\n\n### Conclusion\n\nThe environmental impacts of electric versus gasoline vehicles vary significantly by region due to differences in energy grid composition and resource management capabilities. In regions with renewable-heavy grids, EVs offer substantial environmental benefits over gasoline vehicles. Conversely, in coal-heavy regions, the benefits of EVs are diminished, and their lifecycle emissions may be comparable to those of gasoline vehicles. Regions with moderate renewable integration see a mixed impact, with EVs generally offering a cleaner alternative, especially as grid decarbonization progresses. Additionally, local recycling capabilities play a crucial role in mitigating the environmental impacts associated with the production and disposal of EV batteries.",
+  "strategy_path": [
+    "I can answer by conducting a comparative lifecycle analysis that examines the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles from production to disposal. This approach will consider factors such as the extraction and processing of raw materials, manufacturing processes, vehicle operation, and end-of-life recycling or disposal. By evaluating the entire lifecycle, I can provide a comprehensive overview of how each vehicle type affects the environment in terms of carbon emissions, resource consumption, and pollution.",
+    "I can answer by conducting a regional lifecycle assessment that takes into account the geographical variations in energy production and resource availability. This approach will analyze how the environmental impacts of electric versus gasoline vehicles differ depending on the regional energy grid composition (e.g., coal-heavy versus renewable-heavy) and local recycling capabilities. By tailoring the lifecycle analysis to specific regions, I can provide insights into how location influences the environmental benefits or drawbacks of each vehicle type."
+  ],
+  "history": [
+    {
+      "depth": 0,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a comparative lifecycle analysis that examines the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles from production to disposal. This approach will consider factors such as the extraction and processing of raw materials, manufacturing processes, vehicle operation, and end-of-life recycling or disposal. By evaluating the entire lifecycle, I can provide a comprehensive overview of how each vehicle type affects the environment in terms of carbon emissions, resource consumption, and pollution.",
+        "I can answer by focusing on the operational phase and analyzing the direct emissions and energy consumption of electric vehicles versus gasoline vehicles. This strategy involves examining the emissions produced during vehicle use, particularly the greenhouse gases emitted from gasoline combustion compared to the emissions from electricity generation that powers EVs. Additionally, I will consider the energy efficiency of each vehicle type and how the energy source mix (renewables versus fossil fuels) influences the overall environmental impact during the operational phase."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a comparative lifecycle analysis that examines the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles from production to disposal. This approach will consider factors such as the extraction and processing of raw materials, manufacturing processes, vehicle operation, and end-of-life recycling or disposal. By evaluating the entire lifecycle, I can provide a comprehensive overview of how each vehicle type affects the environment in terms of carbon emissions, resource consumption, and pollution."
+    },
+    {
+      "depth": 1,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by focusing on a detailed cradle-to-grave analysis, which delves into each stage of the vehicle's life separately. This approach will start with the extraction of raw materials, move through the manufacturing and assembly processes, continue with the energy use and emissions during the vehicle's operational phase, and conclude with disposal or recycling processes. By breaking down each phase, I can identify specific areas where electric vehicles outperform or fall short compared to gasoline vehicles in terms of environmental impact.",
+        "I can answer by conducting a regional lifecycle assessment that takes into account the geographical variations in energy production and resource availability. This approach will analyze how the environmental impacts of electric versus gasoline vehicles differ depending on the regional energy grid composition (e.g., coal-heavy versus renewable-heavy) and local recycling capabilities. By tailoring the lifecycle analysis to specific regions, I can provide insights into how location influences the environmental benefits or drawbacks of each vehicle type."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 1,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a regional lifecycle assessment that takes into account the geographical variations in energy production and resource availability. This approach will analyze how the environmental impacts of electric versus gasoline vehicles differ depending on the regional energy grid composition (e.g., coal-heavy versus renewable-heavy) and local recycling capabilities. By tailoring the lifecycle analysis to specific regions, I can provide insights into how location influences the environmental benefits or drawbacks of each vehicle type."
+    }
+  ],
+  "ibfs_config": {
+    "diversity_level": "low",
+    "branching_factor": 2,
+    "max_depth": 2
+  },
+  "user_config": {
+    "epsilon": 0.2
+  },
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T16:07:15.022897",
+  "similarity_score": 0.3,
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_160627",
+  "simulation_id": 10
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_160627_sim_11.json

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+{
+  "query": "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?",
+  "user_id": "66366a9f-3fdf-4ca1-ab83-5b1c43b1a4df",
+  "ibfs_id": "e44ba9ee-a410-4b94-9795-15927e74c9cc",
+  "user_preferred_answer": "Electric vehicles reduce emissions and pollution, but battery production and disposal have environmental impacts compared to gasoline vehicles.",
+  "final_answer": "To assess the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) compared to traditional gasoline vehicles through a stakeholder-focused lifecycle analysis, we will consider the perspectives of three main stakeholders: manufacturers, consumers, and policymakers. This analysis will cover the stages of material sourcing, production, use, and disposal.\n\n### Manufacturers\n\n**Material Sourcing:**\n- **Electric Vehicles:** Manufacturers of EVs face significant environmental challenges in sourcing materials, particularly for batteries. The extraction of lithium, cobalt, and nickel can lead to habitat destruction, water pollution, and high carbon emissions. These impacts are critical for manufacturers to manage, as sustainable sourcing becomes a competitive advantage and a regulatory requirement.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** The primary environmental concern is the extraction and refining of oil for fuel. While the materials for vehicle construction (steel, aluminum) are similar to EVs, the ongoing demand for oil has significant environmental impacts, including oil spills and greenhouse gas emissions.\n\n**Production:**\n- **Electric Vehicles:** The production of EVs, especially battery manufacturing, is energy-intensive and can result in higher initial carbon emissions compared to gasoline vehicles. Manufacturers must invest in cleaner production technologies and renewable energy sources to mitigate these impacts.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** The production process is relatively mature and optimized, but still involves significant energy use and emissions. Manufacturers are pressured to improve efficiency and reduce emissions in line with environmental standards.\n\n### Consumers\n\n**Energy Consumption During Use:**\n- **Electric Vehicles:** Consumers benefit from lower emissions during the use phase, as EVs produce no tailpipe emissions. The environmental impact largely depends on the electricity source; renewable energy significantly reduces the carbon footprint. Consumers are increasingly aware of this and may choose EVs based on the availability of clean energy.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** These vehicles emit CO2 and other pollutants during operation, contributing to air pollution and climate change. Consumers face increasing fuel costs and potential restrictions in urban areas due to emissions.\n\n**Cost and Maintenance:**\n- **Electric Vehicles:** While EVs often have higher upfront costs, they generally have lower operating and maintenance costs due to fewer moving parts and the absence of oil changes. Consumers are attracted to these long-term savings and the environmental benefits.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** Typically cheaper upfront, but with higher fuel and maintenance costs over time. Consumers may prioritize short-term affordability over long-term environmental impact.\n\n### Policymakers\n\n**Regulatory and Environmental Impact:**\n- **Electric Vehicles:** Policymakers are focused on promoting EV adoption to reduce urban air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Incentives such as tax credits, rebates, and infrastructure investments (charging stations) are common strategies to encourage EV use.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** Policymakers are increasingly imposing stricter emissions standards and fuel efficiency requirements. There is a push for transitioning to cleaner alternatives to meet climate goals.\n\n**End-of-Life and Disposal:**\n- **Electric Vehicles:** The disposal and recycling of batteries present significant environmental challenges. Policymakers are concerned with developing effective recycling programs and regulations to manage battery waste and recover valuable materials.\n- **Gasoline Vehicles:** End-of-life disposal involves recycling metals and managing hazardous materials like oil and coolants. While established, these processes still have environmental impacts that require oversight.\n\n### Conclusion\n\nFrom a stakeholder-focused lifecycle analysis, electric vehicles present both challenges and opportunities across their lifecycle stages. Manufacturers must address the environmental impacts of material sourcing and production, consumers benefit from lower emissions and operating costs, and policymakers see EVs as a critical component of reducing transportation-related emissions. Conversely, gasoline vehicles have a more established lifecycle with significant emissions during use, presenting ongoing environmental challenges for all stakeholders. This nuanced understanding highlights the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to maximize the environmental benefits of transitioning to electric vehicles.",
+  "strategy_path": [
+    "I can answer by conducting a comparative lifecycle analysis, which includes examining the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles from production to disposal. This approach will involve looking at the extraction and processing of raw materials, manufacturing processes, vehicle operation, and end-of-life disposal or recycling. By assessing these stages, I can provide a comprehensive overview of how each type of vehicle affects the environment throughout its entire lifecycle.",
+    "I can answer by performing a stakeholder-focused lifecycle analysis, which considers the environmental impacts of electric and gasoline vehicles from the perspectives of various stakeholders such as manufacturers, consumers, and policymakers. This approach will involve evaluating how each stage of the vehicle lifecycle affects these stakeholders differently, including the sourcing of materials, energy consumption during vehicle use, and disposal practices. By addressing the concerns and priorities of each stakeholder group, I can deliver a nuanced understanding of the environmental implications for each vehicle type."
+  ],
+  "history": [
+    {
+      "depth": 0,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a comparative lifecycle analysis, which includes examining the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles from production to disposal. This approach will involve looking at the extraction and processing of raw materials, manufacturing processes, vehicle operation, and end-of-life disposal or recycling. By assessing these stages, I can provide a comprehensive overview of how each type of vehicle affects the environment throughout its entire lifecycle.",
+        "I can answer by investigating the specific environmental impacts of the energy sources used to power electric vehicles compared to the emissions from gasoline vehicles. This approach will focus on analyzing the carbon footprint and pollution associated with electricity generation (e.g., coal, natural gas, renewables) versus the emissions resulting directly from burning gasoline. Additionally, I can consider how regional energy grids and their reliance on different energy sources can influence the overall environmental benefits or drawbacks of using EVs in various locations."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a comparative lifecycle analysis, which includes examining the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles from production to disposal. This approach will involve looking at the extraction and processing of raw materials, manufacturing processes, vehicle operation, and end-of-life disposal or recycling. By assessing these stages, I can provide a comprehensive overview of how each type of vehicle affects the environment throughout its entire lifecycle."
+    },
+    {
+      "depth": 1,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a regional lifecycle analysis, focusing on how geographic factors influence the environmental impacts of electric and gasoline vehicles. This approach will involve examining the variations in raw material availability, energy sources for manufacturing and charging, and local recycling infrastructure in different regions. By assessing these regional differences, I can provide insights into how the environmental impacts of vehicles may vary depending on where they are produced, operated, and disposed of.",
+        "I can answer by performing a stakeholder-focused lifecycle analysis, which considers the environmental impacts of electric and gasoline vehicles from the perspectives of various stakeholders such as manufacturers, consumers, and policymakers. This approach will involve evaluating how each stage of the vehicle lifecycle affects these stakeholders differently, including the sourcing of materials, energy consumption during vehicle use, and disposal practices. By addressing the concerns and priorities of each stakeholder group, I can deliver a nuanced understanding of the environmental implications for each vehicle type."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 1,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by performing a stakeholder-focused lifecycle analysis, which considers the environmental impacts of electric and gasoline vehicles from the perspectives of various stakeholders such as manufacturers, consumers, and policymakers. This approach will involve evaluating how each stage of the vehicle lifecycle affects these stakeholders differently, including the sourcing of materials, energy consumption during vehicle use, and disposal practices. By addressing the concerns and priorities of each stakeholder group, I can deliver a nuanced understanding of the environmental implications for each vehicle type."
+    }
+  ],
+  "ibfs_config": {
+    "diversity_level": "low",
+    "branching_factor": 2,
+    "max_depth": 2
+  },
+  "user_config": {
+    "epsilon": 0.2
+  },
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T16:07:19.572955",
+  "similarity_score": 0.3,
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_160627",
+  "simulation_id": 11
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_160627_sim_12.json

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+{
+  "query": "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?",
+  "user_id": "4eb26326-ee83-48c1-b059-98bb13ce5496",
+  "ibfs_id": "6910ba0c-178c-4a41-90cc-6c3c065eb400",
+  "user_preferred_answer": "Electric vehicles reduce emissions and reliance on fossil fuels but involve battery production and recycling challenges impacting the environment.",
+  "final_answer": "To assess the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) compared to traditional gasoline vehicles during the production phase, we need to examine the sourcing and processing of raw materials, as well as the energy consumption and emissions associated with manufacturing each type of vehicle.\n\n### Electric Vehicles (EVs)\n\n#### Raw Materials and Production\n\n1. **Lithium-ion Batteries**: \n   - **Lithium**: The production of lithium-ion batteries, which are crucial for EVs, requires significant amounts of lithium. Lithium is primarily extracted from brine pools or hard rock mining. Both methods have environmental impacts. Brine extraction, common in South America, involves pumping water into underground reservoirs to bring lithium to the surface, which can lead to water depletion and contamination. Hard rock mining, prevalent in Australia, involves more energy-intensive processes and can result in habitat destruction.\n   - **Cobalt and Nickel**: These metals are also critical for battery production. Cobalt mining, often concentrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been associated with severe environmental degradation, including soil and water pollution. Nickel mining can lead to deforestation and soil erosion.\n   - **Graphite**: Used as an anode material, graphite mining can result in air and water pollution due to the release of fine particles and chemicals.\n\n2. **Energy Consumption and Emissions**:\n   - The production of EV batteries is energy-intensive, often relying on electricity from fossil fuels, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. The carbon footprint of battery production can be significant, depending on the energy mix of the manufacturing location.\n   - Manufacturing the rest of the EV (body, electronics, etc.) is similar to traditional vehicles in terms of energy use and emissions.\n\n### Traditional Gasoline Vehicles\n\n#### Raw Materials and Production\n\n1. **Steel and Aluminum**:\n   - **Steel**: The production of steel, a primary material in gasoline vehicles, involves mining iron ore and using coal in blast furnaces. This process is energy-intensive and emits significant amounts of CO2. Steel production is one of the largest industrial sources of greenhouse gases.\n   - **Aluminum**: Used for lighter vehicle components, aluminum production involves bauxite mining and electrolysis, which is also energy-intensive and can result in significant emissions and environmental degradation.\n\n2. **Plastics and Other Materials**:\n   - Derived from petroleum, the production of plastics used in vehicles involves chemical processes that emit greenhouse gases and other pollutants.\n\n3. **Energy Consumption and Emissions**:\n   - The overall energy consumption for manufacturing a gasoline vehicle is generally lower than that for an EV, primarily due to the absence of a large battery pack. However, the emissions from steel and aluminum production contribute significantly to the vehicle's initial carbon footprint.\n\n### Comparative Analysis\n\n- **Emissions**: The production of EVs, particularly the battery, tends to result in higher initial emissions compared to traditional gasoline vehicles. However, this is often offset over the vehicle's lifetime due to the lower emissions during operation.\n- **Resource Extraction**: EV production involves more intensive mining activities for battery materials, which can have localized environmental impacts. In contrast, gasoline vehicles rely more heavily on steel and aluminum, with significant emissions from their production processes.\n- **Energy Use**: The energy required for producing EVs is generally higher, largely due to battery manufacturing. The environmental impact of this energy use depends on the energy sources of the manufacturing region.\n\nIn conclusion, while the production phase of EVs has a higher environmental impact in terms of emissions and resource extraction compared to gasoline vehicles, the overall environmental benefits of EVs can become apparent when considering their entire lifecycle, including the operational phase.",
+  "strategy_path": [
+    "I can answer by conducting a comparative lifecycle analysis of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve examining the environmental impacts from the production, use, and disposal phases of both types of vehicles. I would look into the materials used in manufacturing, the energy sources for vehicle operation, and the recycling processes at the end of a vehicle's life. This analysis would provide a comprehensive overview of the environmental footprints of both vehicle types throughout their entire lifecycles.",
+    "I can answer by focusing specifically on the production phase of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This sub-strategy involves a deep dive into the environmental impacts associated with sourcing and processing raw materials, such as lithium for EV batteries and steel for gasoline vehicles. By analyzing the energy consumption and emissions during the manufacturing process, I can provide insights into how the initial production stage contributes to the overall environmental footprint of each vehicle type."
+  ],
+  "history": [
+    {
+      "depth": 0,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a comparative lifecycle analysis of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve examining the environmental impacts from the production, use, and disposal phases of both types of vehicles. I would look into the materials used in manufacturing, the energy sources for vehicle operation, and the recycling processes at the end of a vehicle's life. This analysis would provide a comprehensive overview of the environmental footprints of both vehicle types throughout their entire lifecycles.",
+        "I can answer by evaluating the emissions and pollution differences between electric and gasoline vehicles. This strategy would focus on the operational phase, analyzing the direct emissions produced by gasoline vehicles compared to the indirect emissions associated with electricity generation for EVs. I would consider factors such as the carbon intensity of the electricity grid, advancements in battery technology, and the potential for renewable energy integration, providing insights into how these factors influence the overall environmental impact of each vehicle type."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a comparative lifecycle analysis of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve examining the environmental impacts from the production, use, and disposal phases of both types of vehicles. I would look into the materials used in manufacturing, the energy sources for vehicle operation, and the recycling processes at the end of a vehicle's life. This analysis would provide a comprehensive overview of the environmental footprints of both vehicle types throughout their entire lifecycles."
+    },
+    {
+      "depth": 1,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by focusing specifically on the production phase of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This sub-strategy involves a deep dive into the environmental impacts associated with sourcing and processing raw materials, such as lithium for EV batteries and steel for gasoline vehicles. By analyzing the energy consumption and emissions during the manufacturing process, I can provide insights into how the initial production stage contributes to the overall environmental footprint of each vehicle type.",
+        "I can answer by emphasizing the use phase of electric vehicles (EVs) compared to traditional gasoline vehicles. This approach would involve examining the differences in emissions and energy consumption when these vehicles are in operation. For EVs, I would explore how the source of electricity (renewable vs. non-renewable) impacts their environmental benefits, while for gasoline vehicles, I would assess the emissions from fuel combustion and their efficiency. This analysis would highlight how the operational phase contributes to the total environmental impact over the vehicles' lifetimes."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by focusing specifically on the production phase of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline vehicles. This sub-strategy involves a deep dive into the environmental impacts associated with sourcing and processing raw materials, such as lithium for EV batteries and steel for gasoline vehicles. By analyzing the energy consumption and emissions during the manufacturing process, I can provide insights into how the initial production stage contributes to the overall environmental footprint of each vehicle type."
+    }
+  ],
+  "ibfs_config": {
+    "diversity_level": "low",
+    "branching_factor": 2,
+    "max_depth": 2
+  },
+  "user_config": {
+    "epsilon": 0.2
+  },
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T16:07:18.607942",
+  "similarity_score": 0.3,
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_160627",
+  "simulation_id": 12
+}

experiment_results/exp_20250319_160627_sim_13.json

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+{
+  "query": "What are the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline vehicles?",
+  "user_id": "41bd84ff-7932-4064-9d28-8263bd354890",
+  "ibfs_id": "6625dfcc-ed3b-496c-8cf5-fc06e1fd95de",
+  "user_preferred_answer": "Electric vehicles generally reduce emissions long-term, but battery production has significant environmental impacts compared to gasoline vehicle manufacturing.",
+  "final_answer": "To evaluate the environmental impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) compared to traditional gasoline vehicles, we must consider the entire life cycle of each vehicle type, focusing on the energy sources used at each stage. This includes the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing, operation, and end-of-life disposal or recycling.\n\n### 1. Raw Material Extraction\n\n**Electric Vehicles:**\n- **Lithium Mining:** EVs rely heavily on lithium-ion batteries, which require the extraction of lithium, cobalt, nickel, and other materials. Lithium is primarily extracted through mining or evaporation from brine pools, processes that can lead to significant environmental impacts. Mining can result in habitat destruction, water pollution, and high water usage, particularly in arid regions like the Atacama Desert in Chile.\n- **Cobalt and Nickel:** These materials are often mined in regions with less stringent environmental regulations, leading to deforestation, soil erosion, and pollution. Cobalt mining, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has raised concerns about human rights and environmental degradation.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **Crude Oil Extraction:** The extraction of crude oil involves drilling, which can lead to oil spills, habitat destruction, and pollution. Offshore drilling poses risks to marine ecosystems, while onshore drilling can impact local wildlife and water resources. The refining process also generates significant emissions and waste.\n\n### 2. Manufacturing\n\n**Electric Vehicles:**\n- The production of EVs, particularly the battery, is energy-intensive and results in higher initial carbon emissions compared to gasoline vehicles. However, advancements in battery technology and manufacturing efficiency are gradually reducing this impact.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- Traditional vehicles have a less energy-intensive manufacturing process compared to EVs, primarily due to the absence of large battery packs. However, the production of internal combustion engines and associated components still contributes to environmental pollution.\n\n### 3. Operation\n\n**Electric Vehicles:**\n- **Electricity Generation:** The carbon footprint of operating an EV largely depends on the energy mix used to generate electricity. In regions where electricity is primarily generated from renewable sources (e.g., wind, solar, hydro), EVs have a significantly lower carbon footprint. Conversely, in areas reliant on coal or natural gas, the benefits are reduced but still generally favorable compared to gasoline vehicles.\n- **Efficiency:** EVs are more energy-efficient than gasoline vehicles, converting a higher percentage of energy from the grid to power at the wheels.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- **Combustion Emissions:** Gasoline vehicles emit carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter during operation, contributing to air pollution and climate change. The efficiency of gasoline engines is lower than that of electric motors, leading to higher emissions per mile driven.\n\n### 4. End-of-Life\n\n**Electric Vehicles:**\n- **Battery Recycling:** The disposal and recycling of EV batteries pose environmental challenges. However, recycling technologies are improving, allowing for the recovery of valuable materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, reducing the need for new mining.\n- **Vehicle Recycling:** Like traditional vehicles, EVs can be recycled for their metal components, though the battery remains a key focus for environmental impact.\n\n**Gasoline Vehicles:**\n- Traditional vehicles are generally recycled for their metal content, but the disposal of fluids and other components can lead to environmental issues if not managed properly.\n\n### Conclusion\n\nOverall, while electric vehicles have a higher environmental impact during the manufacturing phase due to battery production, they offer significant advantages during the operational phase, especially in regions with clean electricity grids. The reduction in tailpipe emissions and improved energy efficiency contribute to a lower overall carbon footprint compared to gasoline vehicles. However, the environmental benefits of EVs are contingent on responsible sourcing of raw materials and advancements in battery recycling technologies.",
+  "strategy_path": [
+    "I can answer by conducting a comparative analysis that examines the full life cycle of both electric and gasoline vehicles. This approach would include assessing the environmental impacts during the manufacturing process, the source and type of energy used for operation (electricity vs. gasoline), and the end-of-life disposal and recycling processes. By evaluating each stage, I can provide a comprehensive overview of the environmental footprints of both vehicle types.",
+    "I can answer by focusing on a detailed breakdown of the energy sources used throughout the life cycle of electric and gasoline vehicles. This would involve analyzing the environmental impacts of extracting raw materials, especially the mining of lithium for electric vehicle batteries versus crude oil extraction for gasoline. Additionally, I would assess the carbon footprint of electricity generation for electric vehicles compared to gasoline combustion in traditional vehicles, considering regional variations in energy sources."
+  ],
+  "history": [
+    {
+      "depth": 0,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by conducting a comparative analysis that examines the full life cycle of both electric and gasoline vehicles. This approach would include assessing the environmental impacts during the manufacturing process, the source and type of energy used for operation (electricity vs. gasoline), and the end-of-life disposal and recycling processes. By evaluating each stage, I can provide a comprehensive overview of the environmental footprints of both vehicle types.",
+        "I can answer by focusing on the operational phase of both electric and gasoline vehicles, specifically analyzing their emissions and energy efficiency during use. For electric vehicles, this would involve examining the carbon intensity of electricity grids in different regions, while for gasoline vehicles, it would involve assessing tailpipe emissions and fuel consumption. This approach would help highlight the differences in emissions and energy use once the vehicles are on the road."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by conducting a comparative analysis that examines the full life cycle of both electric and gasoline vehicles. This approach would include assessing the environmental impacts during the manufacturing process, the source and type of energy used for operation (electricity vs. gasoline), and the end-of-life disposal and recycling processes. By evaluating each stage, I can provide a comprehensive overview of the environmental footprints of both vehicle types."
+    },
+    {
+      "depth": 1,
+      "strategies": [
+        "I can answer by focusing on a detailed breakdown of the energy sources used throughout the life cycle of electric and gasoline vehicles. This would involve analyzing the environmental impacts of extracting raw materials, especially the mining of lithium for electric vehicle batteries versus crude oil extraction for gasoline. Additionally, I would assess the carbon footprint of electricity generation for electric vehicles compared to gasoline combustion in traditional vehicles, considering regional variations in energy sources.",
+        "I can answer by conducting a sector-specific impact assessment, where I evaluate the environmental effects of electric and gasoline vehicles within different sectors, such as urban versus rural environments. In this approach, I would examine how the manufacturing, operational, and disposal stages of vehicles differently affect air quality, noise pollution, and waste management in these areas. This strategy would highlight how the environmental impacts vary based on the context in which the vehicles are used."
+      ],
+      "choice_idx": 0,
+      "chosen_strategy": "I can answer by focusing on a detailed breakdown of the energy sources used throughout the life cycle of electric and gasoline vehicles. This would involve analyzing the environmental impacts of extracting raw materials, especially the mining of lithium for electric vehicle batteries versus crude oil extraction for gasoline. Additionally, I would assess the carbon footprint of electricity generation for electric vehicles compared to gasoline combustion in traditional vehicles, considering regional variations in energy sources."
+    }
+  ],
+  "ibfs_config": {
+    "diversity_level": "low",
+    "branching_factor": 2,
+    "max_depth": 2
+  },
+  "user_config": {
+    "epsilon": 0.2
+  },
+  "timestamp": "2025-03-19T16:07:22.827542",
+  "similarity_score": 0.5,
+  "experiment_id": "exp_20250319_160627",
+  "simulation_id": 13
+}