Smart Matter

IEEE Spectrum talks about smart matter, which, in fact, is the object with samoorganizovuyuschimisya particles. It's like, see the werewolf in science fiction. But all this is really at least at the stage of research.
Microelectronics has created a very tiny computers, thus allowing them to self-assemble and respond to change. In IEEE considers two options.





One of them is associated with the smart particles that use magnets to maneuver in the right direction. Each «claytronic atom" or «catom» uses "local GPS-navigation", to determine where it should be located in the structure. The challenge is to develop a navigation that allows particles to assemble into complex structures.
Today, the team of Carnegie Mellon University, to develop this approach, have managed to create a centimeter catom-s that really work. Now this team is working to reduce the size and catom-millimeter, using photolithography.

Another approach, MIT, consists of "smart pebbles", which must use the rules that would determine what "stones" have to stick together. Stones that have no job (ie its place in the complex structure), simply disappear. Imagine the capacity of such stones, which you can simply lower his arm and pull out the desired object. The complexity of this approach is the transmission of signals between the stones - coordination and coordinates "clumping" of stones.

Currently, two approaches exist only in a research version and not practiced. But with the growth indicators miniaturization of electronics and mechanical components, we can hope for the appearance of intelligent matter in the near future.
If successful, these technologies will make today's leaders - 3D printers - an antiquated technology. At least some of the models - exactly. Smart material is significantly different from the materials used by the current 3D printers. Becoming practically applicable, "pebbles" and catom become leaders for use. With the help of the program instructions given by the team to which object it is necessary to form intelligent matter.

One of the valuable properties of intelligent matter will return to its original shape. In the end, you will always be on hand inexhaustible amount of intelligent matter, which may be returned to its original state by the team.

See you in the future!

Translation articles www.fabbaloo.com .

Source: habrahabr.ru/company/fabbers/blog/237249/