IBM Scientists Build Computer Chips From DNA

snydeq writes "Scientists at IBM are experimenting with using DNA molecules as a way to create tiny circuits that could form the basis of smaller, more powerful computer chips. The technique builds on work done by Cal Tech's Paul Rothemund, who found that DNA molecules can be made to 'self-assemble' into tiny forms [PDF] such as triangles, squares and stars. 'To make a chip, the scientists first create lithographic templates using traditional chip making techniques. After, they pour a DNA solution over the surface of the silicon and the tiny triangles and squares — what the scientists call DNA origami — line themselves up to the patterns etched out using lithography.' DNA-based chips may sound like crackpot tech, but those involved believe the methodology could lead to a new way of fabricating features on the surface of chips that allows semiconductors to be made even smaller, faster and more power-efficient than they are today."

Comments

Lithography-based sounds like a good idea

[Chris Burke]

I remember over a decade ago hearing about research where they had demonstrated DNA-based computation. They'd used the molecules to perform some reasonably complex algorithm and got the correct answer. It was extremely fast, in part due to using a lot of parallelism. The only problem -- the 'answer' was somewhere in the beaker full of DNA goop and had to be chemically sorted out to actually see what happened. So, uh, not terribly practical.

Using lithography to put molecules where you want them to be sounds a lot better than a beaker of goop. :)

Nano-fabrication

[Thuktun]

I wonder if this is a practical step towards the ubiquitous "matter compilers" featured in Stephenson's The Diamond Age.

Re:And when will it become self-aware?

[aphelion_rock]

More to the point, when will it become self reproducing? Add to this the ability to reproduce and mankind becomes god. Do we then put it on another planet and see if it survives and evolves...

Re:And when will it become self-aware?

[falconwolf]

I, for one, look forward to welcoming our bio-nano-tech overlords

I doubt it will happen in my lifetime but I'd like to see when either nanotechnology or Neurogenesis can repair damaged brains. I survived a Traumatic Brain Injury, TBI, and I'd be in line as a test subject.

Either that, or be in line to transplant one of Marvin's brains.

Falcon

self replication of DNA

[falconwolf]

To be "DNA" doesn't it need to be able to self-replicate or something like that? Given the appropriate raw materials, will the DNA chips self-replicate and expand themselves?

DNA can and does both self assemble and self replicate. I'm reading an article in "Tech review" on this subject, "First Life and Next Life". In experiments the author showed that the, artificial, DNA could also evolve.

Falcon