| At Dr. Kim Solez's Singularity-focused course course at the University of Alberta, Dr. Michael Woodside recently presented a lecture on nanotechnology. From utility fog to the promise of immortality and intelligence augmentation via medical nanobots, Woodside's lecture is a very good introduction and overview of nanotechnology. |
Woodside studies biological nanotechnolgy -- his research involves combining the tools and methods of physics and molecular biochemistry to investigate the response of single biological macromolecules to mechanical forces.
In particular, he is interested in using force to probe the nanomechanics of structure formation and dissolution. "Folding," the formation of complex three-dimensional structures from linear biomolecular chains like nucleic acids and proteins, is one of the most important examples of self-assembly that we know of: biological molecules must fold into the correct shape in order to function correctly.
The technology is also known as DNA origami.
The main tool Woodside's team uses in this work is the optical trap, consisting of a tightly focused, intense laser beam which can hold on to micron-sized plastic beads in solution. An optical trap acts like a spring made out of light, allowing force to be applied to a molecule tethered to a bead by deflecting the bead from the center of the trap. The motion of the molecule is detected by collecting light scattered off the bead. State-of-the-art optical traps can detect motions of as little as 0.1 nm (the radius of a hydrogen atom!), providing an exceptionally precise tool for measuring folding trajectories.
His lecture begins with definitions of nanotechnology, including how Eric Drexler formed the idea in Engines of Creation: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology, in part based on the concepts by Richard Feynman.
Woodside also covers graphene, carbon nanotubes, and the potential to create a space elevator with the technology.
Using nanotechnology, suggests Woodside will help the devolopment of quantum computers, such as the work currently being done by D-Wave.
From utility fog to the promise of immortality and intelligence augmentation via medical nanobots, Woodside's lecture is a very good introduction and overview of nanotechnology . While some of the possibilities will remain as science fiction scenarios based on the constraints imposed by scientific realities, the future will increasingly be shaped by nanotech.
SOURCE Kim Solez
The technology is also known as DNA origami.
The main tool Woodside's team uses in this work is the optical trap, consisting of a tightly focused, intense laser beam which can hold on to micron-sized plastic beads in solution. An optical trap acts like a spring made out of light, allowing force to be applied to a molecule tethered to a bead by deflecting the bead from the center of the trap. The motion of the molecule is detected by collecting light scattered off the bead. State-of-the-art optical traps can detect motions of as little as 0.1 nm (the radius of a hydrogen atom!), providing an exceptionally precise tool for measuring folding trajectories.
His lecture begins with definitions of nanotechnology, including how Eric Drexler formed the idea in Engines of Creation: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology, in part based on the concepts by Richard Feynman.
Woodside also covers graphene, carbon nanotubes, and the potential to create a space elevator with the technology.
Using nanotechnology, suggests Woodside will help the devolopment of quantum computers, such as the work currently being done by D-Wave.
From utility fog to the promise of immortality and intelligence augmentation via medical nanobots, Woodside's lecture is a very good introduction and overview of nanotechnology . While some of the possibilities will remain as science fiction scenarios based on the constraints imposed by scientific realities, the future will increasingly be shaped by nanotech.
SOURCE Kim Solez
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