Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Sperm Sorting Chip

Posted by timothy on from the where-are-the-eggs dept.

Makarand writes "Microscopically narrow fluid streams running side by side barely mix - a phenomenon put to use in a new stamp size silicon chip for purifying sperm. This technique could find use in infertility clinics where centrifugal technqiues, which can damage fragile sperm, are currently used to purify sperm. Semen and salt water are dripped into etched lanes less than half a millimeter wide from opposite ends of the chip. When the lanes merge, the healthy and wriggly sperm swim into the salt water stream and leave the dead and the disabled sperm behind."

12 of 55 comments (clear)

  1. Special request by Kelerain · · Score: 4, Funny

    I would like to request at this point, for the good of the community, that no one post any jokes on this thread.

    1. Re:Special request by Kizzle · · Score: 5, Funny

      Ok, two sperm chips walk into a bar...

      --
      Hacker Media
  2. sperm sorting? by joFFeman · · Score: 2, Funny

    better a sperm dipping chip.

    --
    "Life is great; without it, you'd be dead." -Harmony Korine
  3. yea but... by schnits0r · · Score: 2, Funny

    does it run on linux?

    --


    -------
    Support Indy Music. Buy
  4. Centrifugal techniques by Pall+Agamemnides · · Score: 5, Funny

    This technique could find use in infertility clinics where centrifugal technqiues, which can damage fragile sperm...

    If centrifugal techniques can damage sperm cells, just imagine what a centrifuge will do to the rest of the guy undergoing the treatment! You'll never get me into one of those deathtraps!

  5. Sperm Sort? by one9nine · · Score: 4, Funny

    How does it perform against Mergesort or Quicksort?

    1. Re:Sperm Sort? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Probably finishes way too quickly.

      Ba-dum-bum.

  6. Wondering... by JDWTopGuy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Would it be fair to say that this is "seminal research"?

    --
    Ron Paul 2012
  7. Re:Liquid Cooling by leviramsey · · Score: 2, Funny

    Two words:

    THERMAL. PASTE.

  8. So if this sorts sperm by infonography · · Score: 3, Funny

    Would it not be better to use a maze that they would have to traverse. Might be able to breed a better human if the sperm had to find it's way to the egg. Maybe with little ghosts that flash colors when you find a powerup.

    --
    Sorry about the writing. Robot fingers, you know? Cliff Steele in DOOM PATROL #23
  9. Re:Okay well.. by Copid · · Score: 3, Funny
    U R A NATURALISTIC FALLACY SUX0R UR BRANE IS 0WN3D BY DAVID HUME

    I'm sorry, but it's too bad about the moderation on this one. Something about a reference to being "0WN3D" by an 18th century philosopher is just classic. My kingdom for some mod points.

    "PH33R MY L337 PRINCIPLE OF UTILITY!"

    --John Stuart Mill

    --
    An interesting anagram of "BANACH TARSKI" is "BANACH TARSKI BANACH TARSKI"
  10. Sperm Sorters: The Lineup by Jonny+290 · · Score: 2, Funny

    AMD:

    Sorts sperm fast and cheap. Has tendency to overheat and make little sperm omelets.

    Intel:

    Overpriced for the performance, but every American trusts Intel to sort their sperm. Only sorts one at a time, but does it really frequently; i believe the term is "HyperJizzing"

    Amiga:

    Sorts them slowly, the most incompatible, but goddamn if it doesn't do it with style.

    Atari:

    Ancient sperm-sorting technology. People use this when they want to relive the 80's while they sort their sperm.

    Apple:

    Only sorts gay sperm.

    --
    Hey Taco! Looks like you're using the "infinite monkeys and typewriters" scheme to generate Ask Slashdots again...