Can Microscopic Organic-Powered Machines Navigate and Replicate in 3D Space?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of creating microscopic machines powered by organic materials that can navigate and replicate in three-dimensional space. The scope includes theoretical considerations, potential applications, and humorous exchanges about the concept's practicality and implications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant outlines specific requirements for the machine, including size, autonomy, power source, and behavior, suggesting a humorous application in a scientific context.
  • Another participant questions the overall purpose of the thread, prompting a discussion about the seriousness of the topic versus its humorous elements.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the current technological capabilities, with one stating that we are not significantly closer to engineering such a machine compared to historical benchmarks.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential implications of advanced microcontrollers and autonomous systems, referencing military applications and ethical considerations.
  • A participant shares links to existing research on microscopic motors, indicating ongoing developments in related technology.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the feasibility of creating the proposed machines. While some express enthusiasm and humor, others remain skeptical about the technological advancements necessary to achieve such goals.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of concern regarding the ethical implications of autonomous machines, particularly in military contexts. There is also uncertainty about the current state of technology in relation to the proposed capabilities of the machines.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in robotics, autonomous systems, ethical implications of technology, and theoretical discussions on engineering challenges may find this thread engaging.

KAckermann
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Requirements:

  • Between .5cm and 1cm large.
  • It must negotiate 3-D space in an air atmosphere.
  • It must be capable of autonomous existence.
  • It must be capable of high-g acceleration to rapidly start and stop.
  • It must be able to remain stationary on a surface at any spatial orientation.
  • It must self-replicate.
  • It must derive power from organics such as sugar and poop.
  • It must be able to detect and evade moving objects.
  • It must exhibit a preference to orbit the heads of humans.
  • It is desirable that it emit a general buzzing sound. The louder the better.

Use:
There may be broader applications for this device, but the primary use is as a response to the following scenario:

If you are invited to visit the Large Hadron Collider, and some scientist there starts bragging about the colossal scientific instruments they have, a devastating response would be to open up a matchbox and say, "Oh yeah? Got one of these?", and let the machine leave the matchbox and hopefully begin buzzing orbits around the bragging scientist's head.

Budget is tight.
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
http://www.infovisual.info/02/img_en/040%20Morphology%20of%20a%20fly%20(lateral).jpg
 
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Haha at both. I love your response Root.
 
Perfect! How much for this... fly?
 
KAckermann said:
Perfect! How much for this... fly?

It depends on what options you want. Hind legs are extra
 
Is there a point to this thread?
 
Beyond levity, you mean?
 
Cyrus, let them have fun, lol, nobody's going to die, I promise.
 
<i>Is there a point to this thread?</i>

Yes, there is. How far are we away from building such a thing?
 
  • #10
Try google.
 
  • #11
I would contend we are not significantly closer to engineering a fly than we were 25 years ago. Or 250 years ago, for that matter.
 
  • #12
I always get leery when mentioning this, but the things that can be done with a $4.00 microcontroller these days are frightening. I was cringing during the Iraq war that we would start to see autonomous M-50 machine guns on rooftops that could target the whup-whup of helicopters. Something like that would make close-air support quite difficult.

Asymetrical can mean many things. One of these days, one of our UAV's will be responding to alternate commands, and those commands might be coming from a curious and resourceful 15-year-old kid.
 
  • #13
*This Machine is Alive! Microscopic Motor Runs on Microbes*

How small do you want to go??

http://www.livescience.com/common/media/video/player.php?videoRef=TinyDriver

http://www.livescience.com/technology/060828_micrbobe_motor.html

Need a microscopic chain drive??

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1200/is_/ai_83477555
 
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