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

Japanese Words

[JKWSN]

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...

I know first "hand" this doesn't work

[Anonymous Coward]

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.

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. :)

Re:why DNA?

[PotatoFarmer]

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.

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...

It's not "Cal Tech"

[Anal Surprise]

Every time I read "Cal Tech", I cringe. "Caltech", please.

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

Re:And when will it become self-aware?

[PitaBred]

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.