I think that the characterization of chlorophyll as a simple molecule is highly misleading. It can be obtained from plants, yes, but the total synthesis in the laboratory is lengthy, complex, and at the time required the effort of an organic chemistry grand master, Robert B. Woodward.
Cf. Woodward, RB, et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 82, 3800 (1960).
Also, I really don't understand the craze over nanotechnology. I've been working with molecules at the nanoscale for years (I am currently a chemist at a biotech firm), as have other chemists, and that work produces amazing results (e.g. new materials, LEDs, pharmaceuticals, inks, etc). How is "nanotechnology" fundamentally different?
I'm not concerned about chemistry becoming obsolete. I am merely perplexed that people get worked up about some hypothetical gray goo and worry about getting cancer from their "nanotech-enhanced" blue jeans, yet no one worries about whether the dye in their jeans is toxic. It seems like many people, Slashdotters included, are afraid of something merely because it has a new name.
Thoughts?
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Well, almost. The h (Planck's constant) should be h-bar (h/2 [pi]).
Hmm... I think that observation might make me white and nerdy.
I think that the characterization of chlorophyll as a simple molecule is highly misleading. It can be obtained from plants, yes, but the total synthesis in the laboratory is lengthy, complex, and at the time required the effort of an organic chemistry grand master, Robert B. Woodward. Cf. Woodward, RB, et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 82, 3800 (1960). Also, I really don't understand the craze over nanotechnology. I've been working with molecules at the nanoscale for years (I am currently a chemist at a biotech firm), as have other chemists, and that work produces amazing results (e.g. new materials, LEDs, pharmaceuticals, inks, etc). How is "nanotechnology" fundamentally different? I'm not concerned about chemistry becoming obsolete. I am merely perplexed that people get worked up about some hypothetical gray goo and worry about getting cancer from their "nanotech-enhanced" blue jeans, yet no one worries about whether the dye in their jeans is toxic. It seems like many people, Slashdotters included, are afraid of something merely because it has a new name. Thoughts?
Never mind that real viruses aren't composed of cells, either!