Researchers using viruses to build nano-electronics

MIT researchers have begun using bio-engineered viruses to build nanomaterials with wide-ranging applications, like thin battery fibers that may one day be woven directly into clothing. The process, which is being developed by Professor Angela Belcher and her team, has gained the interest of the US military for its potential in creating new types of sensors, solar cells, and batteries, as part of future combat gear. There's still a way to go, however -- right now all the virus-built fibers really do is glow red under ultraviolet, but Belcher is confident her "directed evolution" development technique will allow her viral construction crew to build more sophisticated fibers soon. Here's hoping -- we'd kill to recharge our devices with some stylin' battery-pants.

[rwserna @ Oct 16th 2007 4:43PM]

I, for one, welcome our nanorobotic overvirii!

[Kurtis @ Oct 16th 2007 4:54PM]

now that that's out of the way...

[RDM @ Oct 16th 2007 5:48PM]

Umbrella Corporation?

[Paul @ Oct 16th 2007 7:26PM]

Just as long as Sony isn't involved in any part of the battery portion.

[nikola @ Oct 16th 2007 11:50PM]

Hey ummmm...just saw this...is this morgellons disease???


"Morgellons"

- - - A disease in which individuals have the growth of fibers from their skin that burn at 1,700 degrees F and do not melt. (20)(* see below) A private study to determine the chemical and biological composition of these fibers has shown that the fibers' outer casing is made up of high density polyethylene fiber (HDPE). The fiber material is used commonly in the manufacture of fiber optics. There is no history of the individual in that industry or coming into contact with this material. It was further determined that this material is used throughout the bio nanotechnology world as a compound to encapsulate a viral protein envelope, which is composed of a viron (1/150th times smaller than a virus) with DNA, RNA, RNAi (mutated RNA) or RNAsi linear or ring plasmids for specific functions. (21, 22) Toxicological pathology identification of tissue biopsies from an individual diagnosed with Morgellons revealed the presence of continual silica or glass tubules with the presence of silicone.

http://www.dldewey.com/morgel.htm
http://www.rense.com/Datapages/morgdat1.htm

[toppgun @ Oct 16th 2007 5:03PM]

I would love to be able to have something that will turn my motion into a charge for my portable electronics. If I walk I charge my laptop.

[Jack Durban @ Dec 11th 2007 10:54PM]

This is already under way using cantilevered piezo strips that convert motion into energy.Berkeley labs is one of pioneers in this effort.

www.vorel.com

[Tommy Crashwreck @ Oct 16th 2007 5:06PM]

Yes, but can the viruses build THE STATUE OF LIBERTY? Hats off, gentlemen. Humans win again!

[TC @ Oct 16th 2007 5:42PM]

Quite possibly someday viruses will build the Statue of Liberty, or possibly an exact replica. Someday entire cities may be built by nanomachines that are based on some of the work that is going on today. Too bad I won't live long enough to see it, unless they get really good with these things in the next 30 years and something else does not kill me first.

[nikola @ Oct 17th 2007 12:36AM]

Imagine your organs being slowly crushed by circuit boards and electronic clutter as they spread through your body and replicate on every hard structure (bone) they can find.

Or better yet maybe the viruses will mutate so they grow in human flesh and USB ports start growing out of every open orifice. Then you wouldn't even need to stick that vibrator up your ass anymore. Just plug a stick a cord in the USB and BOOOM! You're hitting the ceiling!

[zabador @ Oct 16th 2007 5:27PM]

why does this sound like the backstory of some forth comming zombie invasion?

[octoberasian @ Oct 16th 2007 5:36PM]

I am reminded of 28 Days/Weeks Later and the Rage virus................................ -_-);

[Zhalfim Deyn @ Oct 16th 2007 7:47PM]

I think its closer to Tsutomo Nihei's Wolverine story "Snikt"...

but this is seriously amazing if they get it done right, which actually seems possible...which therefore I love...

[Henry @ Oct 16th 2007 5:39PM]

Americans win again!

Oh wait...

[Henry @ Oct 16th 2007 5:41PM]

Oops, meant to reply to Tommy Crashwreck...

[JDizzle @ Oct 16th 2007 8:09PM]

More like the French.

(Sadly.)

[octoberasian @ Oct 16th 2007 5:40PM]

It's pretty interesting idea though.

[Mike @ Oct 16th 2007 5:55PM]

The best part of that story is that the lead researcher's name is Dr. Belcher.

[Anton evans @ Oct 16th 2007 6:50PM]

any one read Prey by Micheal Criton

[Xzavier @ Oct 16th 2007 7:54PM]

"In producing this novel fiber, the researchers have demonstrated a completely new way of making nanomaterials, one that uses viruses as microscopic building blocks."

Very creepy! I hope that story has nothing to do with the current links below...

Mysterious Colored Fibers Grow on Their Skin Like Hair -- It's a Medical Mystery.
http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=2283503&page=1

Morgellons Disease - KTVU Ch. 2 (May 23, 2006)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=BQR5z_omnhg

STRANGE DAYS STRANGE SKIES
http://imageevent.com/firesat/strangedaysstrangeskies?z=3&c=4&n=1&m=-1&w=4&x=0&p=14

[Jonathan-DBOSS @ Oct 16th 2007 8:28PM]

Solar Cells? Batteries? BULLSH*T!!! The American military's probably gonna use that research to cause more harm to innocent people. The government doesn't care a sh*t @ss about looking for cures to cancer and stuff, leaving private research to fail in doing so. But they do care about finding ways to ending human life faster. THEY CAN ALL FU*K THEMSELVES!!!

[ryan @ Oct 16th 2007 10:12PM]

sweet. along with the cloth antenna, this would make mobile television totally easy. Now we just need to find a place for the tv...

[JD Turkleton @ Oct 16th 2007 10:55PM]

Well, we should all remember this day. This marks the beginning of the End for Humanity. One day, the building virii and robots (robotii?) will unite to created the perfect mechanical monstrosity that will kill us all by, you guessed it, a deadly virus. God save the Queen.

[DarkAardvark @ Oct 16th 2007 11:39PM]

LOL BATTERY PANTS

[Snub_Fighter @ Oct 17th 2007 12:50AM]

Naw its the book Prey all over again... were screwed..

[sweppner @ Oct 17th 2007 10:02AM]

Anyone ever read michael crichtons book Prey?
Oddly similar....and did not end well...
lets just say that using an evolving organism for nanobot production can lead to unpredictable outcomes...who knew?

[sweppner @ Oct 17th 2007 10:08AM]

Yeah...this winter it wont be the flu it will be the grey goo...
Think like the movie invasion except people turn into Data from star trek the next generation...
the next thing you know skynet is up
its a slippery slope people, lets stop it now

live well and prosper