Thursday, August 04, 2011

Scientists build cyborg light-gathering antenna


Researchers at the University of Toronto have used a combination of synthesized DNA and semiconductors to create a nano-scale antenna that harnesses light. Ted Sargent, says that the tiny antenna consists of tiny semiconductors arranged in a cross-like shape, held together by DNA .

http://earthsky.org/energy/scientists-build-antenna-that-captures-light


"DNA is something you can synthesize in a lab, and you can program exactly the sequence that you want it to have." Sargent said. "And the DNA was designed to have two regions. One that was prone to stick to the semiconductors, and the other region which was able to stick to other DNA. Because it contains DNA, this antenna can, with a little startup help, self-assemble."

6 comments:

ron huber.55 said...

Self-replicating, photosynthesizing. These things will be installed, then before you know it, they're growing like weeds. Who's to say what happens next...

Beam Me Up said...

grey sludge cant be far behind then can it?

Anonymous said...

Ha ha ha grey sludge.

Beam Me Up said...

Now there is a true fan. Thanks for the giggle anon! lol

Manuel said...

Oh God we invented the replicators...

Beam Me Up said...

Now there is a creepy thought! I am not sure which is worse.... creepy chrome spiders or David Ogden Stiers 24/7