Related Sections: Future Tech
Could this Atom Pinhole Camera be a precursor to the Star Trek replicator?
One by one, Star Trek technologies are edging toward reality. For example, here's the Star Trek replicator, albeit on a nanoscale. The atom pinhole camera shoots atoms through millions of pinholes onto a silicon substrate, creating a replica of an object 10,000 times smaller than the original. So far, it's used to duplicate arrays of identical atomic nanostructures.
But let's extrapolate that a bit. Yeah, if the Starship Enterprise's mess hall is filled with nanoscale crew members that are small enough so that 10,000 of them could dance on the head of a pin, you might be able to replicate a silicon-based ham and cheese sandwich for each and every one of them with this magic camera. We can dream, can't we?
By R3MY at 12:48 PM ON 06/04/09
It's not a replicator, it's a shrink ray!
By monster at 1:06 PM ON 06/04/09
Finally, now I can make my silicon mini me.
By Madman at 1:11 PM ON 06/04/09
"DR. SHRINKER....DR. SHRINKER....HE'S A MADMAN WITH AN EVIL MIND....DR SHRINKERRRRRRR!!!!"
By SteelFox at 2:11 PM ON 06/04/09
I think the more immediate practical application of this tech would mass production of nano machines.
By Mauller07 at 3:30 PM ON 06/04/09
i think the best appication for this would be in integrated circuit lithograthy for making smaller transistors
By btonym at 2:58 PM ON 06/05/09
Hey, it's a start. What I'm doing now was science fiction when Star Trek was originally aired.
By chuckr50311 at 7:25 PM ON 06/05/09
Now take what what you have.. transmit it ..reverse the process and your home in the Trek home world.
By replicatorprize at 11:50 AM ON 06/06/09
I'm trying to develop an X-Prize type program to get a theory for a Trek-style replicator. Website is http://replicatorprize.wordpress.com . How does creating a micro-image like this move us closer to this technology? Any other suggestions?
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I'm trying to develop an X-Prize type program to get a theory for a Trek-style replicator. Website is ...More »