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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."
"The degree of difficulty of nanofabrication is going up rapidly," Wallraff said.
Tell me about it! I can hardly keep up.
How do they intend to make circuits smaller than current lithography methods allow when the DNA solution is aligning itself to lithograph etchings? Further work required, methinks.
pour a DNA solution over the surface of the silicon and the tiny triangles and squares â" what the scientists call DNA origami
I think I saw something like this on the internet once but a different Japanese word was used...
After, they pour a DNA solution over the surface of the silicon and the tiny triangles and squares line themselves up to the patterns etched out using lithography"
I've been pouring a DNA solution over the surface of my computer for years. Doesn't do anything but break the keyboard. This story is bunk.
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. :)
The enemies of Democracy are
I foresee a bunch of very angry and utterly confused "life starts at DNA" people.
0 = 1 + e^(Alt something)
I wonder if this is a practical step towards the ubiquitous "matter compilers" featured in Stephenson's The Diamond Age.
self assembly and the ability to modify the structure of the molecule using simple methods to serve a specific purpose.
According to the article, it's a little from column A, and a little from column B - DNA has an intrinsic ability to self-assemble (A), and it's been studied to the point where the resultant forms of that self-assembly are pretty well known (B).
From reading TFA, it sounds like they're using a traditional lithographic technique to produce the substrate that is filled in by DNA. This DNA in turn self-assembles into structures that are more complex than can be reliably produced by lithography alone. Those structures are then coated in nanoparticles to form the actual IC interconnects.
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...
Every time I read "Cal Tech", I cringe. "Caltech", please.
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
Should there be a Law?
More than likely because in the present age anything with even a hint at DNA or genetics tends to bring up stock value. Think of it like a buzz word.
I'm not familiar with it either but I imagine that it becomes harder to maintain a synchronous clock signal (moot for designs that don't use one, natch) when you increase the size. It would also increase the amount of time that any signal takes to travel from one end to the other. As far as quantum goes, you're using individual or small groupings of atoms - that's just what size they are. The bulk of the machines I expect is made up of vacuum and cryogeny gear.
If God forks the Universe every time you roll a die, he'd better have a damned good memory.
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
Should there be a Law?
That's part of it; I wouldn't describe it as coincidence that a molecule that forms one of the basic information storage mechanisms which allows life to exist has properties that are useful in information technology, though.
Well, yeah, there is some of that, too.
DNA is just information. How well does a hard drive compute? Not very well. It has some computing capability, but to really make it do something interesting you have to hook it up to the rest of the computer. Same with DNA in relation to cells.
My blog. Good stuff (when I remember to update it). Read it.
My only question is...Who's DNA ? If it's Linus's I have no problem, but if it is Bill's or Steve's DNA I think we should burn the lab to the ground! Get your torches and pitchforks!?!?