Human DNA transistor
A couple of years ago, an American biologist Paul Rotmund discovered that DNA molecules have the ability to self-assemble into various regular geometric shapes — triangles, squares, asterisks, etc. (the work of Rotmund in PDF ). This really interesting discovery (it was included in the list of the 12 most important scientific discoveries of 2006) theoretically allows us to make something like a Lego from our DNA.
The practical realization of such an opportunity was not long in coming.
The other day, researchers from IBM told how to order DNA molecules directly on the surface of the chip. They applied the standard lithography method, etched out the pattern form in a silicon crystal — and filled it with an “origami” mass, that is, a bunch of DNA molecules in the shape of triangles.
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The photos show how origami fills etched grooves in the crystal.
Under certain environmental conditions, origami takes on an extremely ordered orientation. The photographs show the results of experiments with different concentrations of brine.
Billets of DNA molecules on a chip can theoretically be used as guides for assembling transistors and conductors of nanotubes directly on the surface of the microcircuits. As is known, nanotubes are superior to silicon in all respects. The only problem is that they have not yet learned how to do anything, the technical process is missing. When the nanotubes finally replace silicon, the norm in microelectronics can be reduced from the existing 45 nm to 22 nm or even less. This means faster and cheaper microprocessors.
In general, it will be very symbolic if the molecules of human DNA are used in this capacity - to create a new generation of processors, which in turn can become the basis of the future Artificial Intelligence. In a sense, we will then be relatives with him.
The scientific work was published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology in the journal [Placement and Orientation of Individual Patterns] —Ryan J. Kershner, Luisa D. Bozano, Christine M. Micheel, Albert M. Hung, Ann R. Fornof, Jennifer N. Cha, Charles T. Rettner, Marco Bersani, Jane Frommer, Paul WK Rothemund & Gregory M. Wallraff].
The practical realization of such an opportunity was not long in coming.
The other day, researchers from IBM told how to order DNA molecules directly on the surface of the chip. They applied the standard lithography method, etched out the pattern form in a silicon crystal — and filled it with an “origami” mass, that is, a bunch of DNA molecules in the shape of triangles.
')
The photos show how origami fills etched grooves in the crystal.
Under certain environmental conditions, origami takes on an extremely ordered orientation. The photographs show the results of experiments with different concentrations of brine.
Billets of DNA molecules on a chip can theoretically be used as guides for assembling transistors and conductors of nanotubes directly on the surface of the microcircuits. As is known, nanotubes are superior to silicon in all respects. The only problem is that they have not yet learned how to do anything, the technical process is missing. When the nanotubes finally replace silicon, the norm in microelectronics can be reduced from the existing 45 nm to 22 nm or even less. This means faster and cheaper microprocessors.
In general, it will be very symbolic if the molecules of human DNA are used in this capacity - to create a new generation of processors, which in turn can become the basis of the future Artificial Intelligence. In a sense, we will then be relatives with him.
The scientific work was published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology in the journal [Placement and Orientation of Individual Patterns] —Ryan J. Kershner, Luisa D. Bozano, Christine M. Micheel, Albert M. Hung, Ann R. Fornof, Jennifer N. Cha, Charles T. Rettner, Marco Bersani, Jane Frommer, Paul WK Rothemund & Gregory M. Wallraff].
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/67346/
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