Daily Archives: June 21, 2006

…DNA and…

One of these days, nanotechnology is going to take a huge leap forward, when we start developing things like nano-tweezers and bi-pedal walking nanobots, especially if such items can be produced on a molecular assembly line.

Oh, wait. That’s right. We’re already doing all those things, using DNA:

As if the blueprint for life wasn’t busy enough, nanotech researchers are putting DNA to work in tiny mechanical devices and as templates for electronic circuits.

Recent DNA constructions include microscopic patterns, tiny gears and a molecular assembly line. Although still mostly at the demonstration level, DNA nanotech is a rapidly growing field.

newnanogear.jpg

In additon to all its other (myriad) applications, DNA-derived nanotech would seem to be the perfect medium for nano-medicine. Imagine how DNA nanotech might work in conjunction with these kinds of developments. Plus, seeing as the potential exists to develop electronic circuits, this technology would appear to be a frontrunner for wiring us up for whatever comes next.

BTW, the title of this entry is deliberately and self-consciously palindromic. Read the entire article to see why.

Via GeekPress.

Shuttle May be Marooned

With the insulating foam problem still not solved, Rand Simberg lays out three scenarios for a damaged space shuttle docked with the International Space Station:

  1. The damage is obvious, and will obviously be fatal if a return attempt is made

  2. The damage is minimal, and it’s obvious that a return is safe, or

  3. The damage is obvious, but less obvious is how dangerous a return attempt would be.

In two out of three of those scenarios, if we are not able to make repairs in space, the space shuttle most likely becomes what Rand describes as “the largest piece of space junk ever launched.” In a darker moment, one might say that’s a pretty good description of the space shuttle program overall.

More constructively, Rand outlines what each of the above scenarios might mean. Read it and weep. NASA’s biggest sin of omission may be never coming up with a way for the shuttle to land itself.