In this article, John Edwards looks at the convergence of two disciplines: using real biological viruses to build nanosize materials. This idea is quite attractive. Here is he has to say.
Most biological viruses have a nasty reputation. But scientist Angela Belcher believes that some viruses can be guided into performing a useful task: building high-tech materials.
Belcher and her University of Texas at Austin colleagues were intrigued by the way viruses can easily produce vast armies of new viruses. The researchers soon discovered that virus replication could also build nanosize materials for next-generation optical, electronic and magnetic devices.
Using genetically engineered viruses that are noninfectious to humans, Belcher and her team created liquid crystal suspensions of viruses and nanoparticles that could be cast into thin liquid crystal films.
Belcher believes that viruses have the potential to become cheap, efficient and environmentally safe nanotechnology building tools. "Biology makes material at moderate temperature using self-assembly and using nontoxic materials," she says.
Can you imagine microscopic semiconductors produced by biological viruses? "Most of this research is still at the basic science stage," says Angela Belcher.
So I guess we will not see any real-world applications before at least five years.
Source: John Edwards, CIO Magazine, September 15, 2002 Issue
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