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Mitochondrion with endoplasmic reticulum, Center for Molecular Microscopy
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Chemists create
'artificial chemical evolution' for the first time
“[The team from the University of Glasgow's School of
Chemistry led by Professor Lee Cronin] created an evolving chemical system
using a robotic 'aid' and could be used in the future to 'evolve' new chemicals
capable of performing specific tasks.
“A robot monitors and selects for further development
droplets of different chemical compounds, mimicking natural selection to
produce 'fit' compounds.”
It is an attempt to produce new chemical life forms.
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| microscopy, pollen |
The matter compiler
in Neal Stephenson’s Diamond
Age makes things molecule-by-molecule. It is fed by huge lines of individual
atoms. They use it to make things like clothes and cutlery. The process
described above is instead used to discover new chemicals combinations. In the
world of perfumery, for example, this could be very helpful.
I also can’t help but mention, at the very end of the
article, we hear about inorganic-chemical cells “built from molecules of metal
and exhibit some of the same abilities as living cells.” Will killer robots smell
fear, that’s all I want to know.
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