[TheAge]IBM scientists build computer chips from DNA - Overclock.net

5entinel · 08-17-09

Quote:

IBM is looking to the building blocks of our bodies - DNA - to be the structure of next-generation microchips.

As chipmakers compete to develop ever-smaller chips at cheaper prices, designers are struggling to cut costs.

Artificial DNA nanostructures, or "DNA origami" may provide a cheap framework on which to build tiny microchips, according to a paper published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.

Microchips are used in computers, cell phones and other electronic devices.

"This is the first demonstration of using biological molecules to help with processing in the semiconductor industry," IBM research manager Spike Narayan said in an interview with Reuters.

"Basically, this is telling us that biological structures like DNA actually offer some very reproducible, repetitive kinds of patterns that we can actually leverage in semiconductor processes," he said.

The research was a joint undertaking by scientists at IBM's Almaden Research Center and the California Institute of Technology.

Right now, the tinier the chip, the more expensive the equipment. Narayan said that if the DNA origami process scales to production-level, manufacturers could trade hundreds of millions of dollars in complex tools for less than a million dollars of polymers, DNA solutions, and heating implements.

http://www.theage.com.au/technology/...0817-en5n.html

pretty cool.

M3T4LM4N222 · 08-17-09

omg.

Kokodawg · 08-17-09

I am quite confused at this to be quite honest 0.o

5entinel · 08-17-09

Yes its very cool but emphase on the following quote

Quote:

Artificial DNA nanostructures, or "DNA origami" may provide a cheap framework on which to build tiny microchips, according to a paper published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.

Microchips are used in computers, cell phones and other electronic devices.

"This is the first demonstration of using biological molecules to help with processing in the semiconductor industry," IBM research manager Spike Narayan said in an interview with Reuters.

"Basically, this is telling us that biological structures like DNA actually offer some very reproducible, repetitive kinds of patterns that we can actually leverage in semiconductor processes," he said.

DuDeInThEmOoN42 · 08-17-09

Pretty cool. My knowledge of genetics doesn't surpass what I learned/remember from AP Biology, but assuming that this complex process is further developed, I'd be eager to understand how it works.

JKBenchmarks · 08-17-09

DNA = protein

Can I eat my CPU when it dies?

Flux · 08-17-09

I like the fact we are now looking for other materials to build our microchips, after all the materials we use now to manufacture our microchips will run out one day.

JKBenchmarks · 08-17-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flux

I like the fact we are now looking for other materials to build our microchips, after all the materials we use now to manufacture our microchips will run out one day.

It's pretty hard to run out of sand.

Flux · 08-17-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by JKBenchmarks

It's pretty hard to run out of sand.

It's not just any old type of sand, its a special silicon sand I believe. *edit* Raw silicon dioxide (comes from sandy beaches then purified) + Wood + Coke (not drinking) = MGS Silicon, the stuff microchip are made of, MGS then goes on to become another type of silicon called EGS Silicon.
True that it would be hard to run out of normal sand, the stuff used in microchip would only last for so long.

T3h_Ch33z_Muncha · 08-17-09

HowStuffWorks.com has an article on DNA chips IIRC; read it a while ago.

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[TheAge]IBM scientists build computer chips from DNA

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