Engineer, novelist, and journalist Wil McCarthy(1) discussed microscopic devices known as "quantum dots" which can act as programmable matter. The technology works by herding electrons into artificial patterns that form new atomic structures, he explained.
This opens the door for an enormous number of possible applications where "matter becomes more like software," McCarthy stated. Materials could be changed to make our lives safer and more comfortable, he continued. Citing automobiles as an example, he suggested they could turn soft and spring back during a collision.
Soldiers in quantum dot-enabled battle gear might not even resemble a human being, moving in a lightweight shell that could deflect away attacks, detailed McCarthy. The medical field is another promising arena for this technology, he added.

1. http://www.wilmccarthy.com/

Wil McCarthy: Images

Pictured (click on for larger)is the Graf Galileo, an experimental airship being designed by Galileo Shipyards LLC(1) for the Missile Defense Agency.This image is of Wil McCarthy and Dr. Gary Snyder assembling an underwater platform for simulated space operations.A third picture shows Wil wearing an experimental night vision system he helped develop several years ago.

1. http://www.galileoshipyards.com

Bumper Music

Bumper music from Monday April 26, 2004