General

[Lrrpie-CT]

A neuron-Like molecular transistor might allow for devices using very little energy. Seeing that even the best laptop can't operate for more than 8-10 hours, for portable computing to be revolutionized we need a revolution in either power consumption reduction or battery capacity.

What I find so interesting in this is the critical importance of material science. Our IT industry has been so enamored with software, for many great reasons, but the hardware development is what allows for further software creativity. Silicon hit the wall in terms of Moore's Law and Intel switched to the new Hafnium based wafers to allow for greater CPU performance. This neuron-like development is exciting. Screw Skynet. :P

[Christian Nelson]

I rememeber hearing about some phototransistors a while back. They worked with light instead of electricity, thus producing less heat.

The real way to reduce energy consumption, is to reduce the heat generated..

Ultimately, we will hit a wall, where you simply cannot make molecules any smaller that will do what we need them to do..

It will be interesting to see what develops.

[davidwirth]

Originally Posted by Lrrpie-CT

A neuron-Like molecular transistor might allow for devices using very little energy. Seeing that even the best laptop can't operate for more than 8-10 hours, for portable computing to be revolutionized we need a revolution in either power consumption reduction or battery capacity.

I wonder if it is low enough that they would actually be able to run off a person's electrical current in the body? these things might be able to interface with the body, creating pathways that have been destroyed by either disease or accident. No more paralylisation? or even an interface for abueties (sp)?

[Christian Nelson]

I think it is already begining to happen this way, but my vision of the future is that eventually biology, and materials science, and mechanical engineering will merge, since you will be building the machines via biological growth.

The 90's had the tech boom with IT dudes, we just had the housing boom, now it is bust, when will the bio boom happen?

[Marauder_Pilot]

The bio boom is already starting. Do a quick Google search on the prostetics being developed right now-we're already within arms reach of cyborgs.

[Christian Nelson]

I saw an article where they were growing meat, it grew kinda like vine, they could do pretty much any type of meat needed.

I wonder what that will do to the beef industry?

[davidwirth]

Originally Posted by Christian Nelson

I saw an article where they were growing meat, it grew kinda like vine, they could do pretty much any type of meat needed.

I wonder what that will do to the beef industry?

or the porn industry?

[Marauder_Pilot]

Originally Posted by Christian Nelson

I saw an article where they were growing meat, it grew kinda like vine, they could do pretty much any type of meat needed.

I wonder what that will do to the beef industry?

Depends how well people react to it. There'll always be a demand for 'real' meat, even if this becomes the standard, but if people can get over the weird factor (Which is definitely a MAJOR factor), then it'll definitely bite the meat industry hard, no pun intended.

[Meph]

Mmmmmmm. Meat Vine. *doooooool*

[John Satclaire]

Should simplfy the production of sausage, jerky, hot dogs, etc.