We introduce a new model of cellular automaton called a one-dimensional number-conserving partitioned cellular automaton (NC-PCA). An NC-PCA is a system such that a state of a cell is represented by a triple of non-negative integers, and the total (i.e., sum) of integers over the configuration is conserved throughout its evolving (computing) process. It can be thought as a kind of modelization of the physical conservation law of mass (particles) or energy. We also define a reversible version of NC-PCA, and prove that a reversible NC-PCA is computation-universal. It is proved by showing that a reversible two-counter machine, which has been known to be universal, can be simulated by a reversible NC-PCA.

We define a kind of cellular automaton called a hexagonal partitioned cellular automaton (HPCA), and study logical universality of a reversible HPCA. We give a specific 64-state reversible HPCA H 1, and show that a Fredkin gate can be embedded in this cellular space. Since a Fredkin gate is known to be a universal logic element, logical universality of H 1 is concluded. Although the number of states of H 1 is greater than those of the previous models of reversible CAs having universality, the size of the configuration realizing a Fredkin gate is greatly reduced, and its local transition function is still simple. Comparison with the previous models, and open problems related to these model are also discussed.