2007-11-13

Utility Fog -- Polymorphic Smart Materials


A swarm of nanobots ("Foglets") that can take the shape of virtually anything, and change shape on the fly.

Nanotechnology is based on the concept of tiny, self-replicating robots. The Utility Fog is a very simple extension of the idea: Suppose, instead of building the object you want atom by atom, the tiny robots linked their arms together to form a solid mass in the shape of the object you wanted? Then, when you got tired of that avant-garde coffeetable, the robots could simply shift around a little and you'd have an elegant Queen Anne piece instead.

Nanotechnology Now

Utility Fog


Utility Fog: (AKA: Polymorphic Smart Materials) Objects formed of "intelligent" polymorphic (able to change shape) substances, typically having an octet truss structure. Concept concieved and Graphics Copyright Dr. J. Storrs Hall. Click images for larger version.

Single Foglet
utility foglet
Foglets Holding Hands
utility foglets holding hands

Here's a short list of the powers you'd have or appear to have if embedded in fog:
  • Creation--causing objects to appear and disappear on command.
  • Levitation--causing objects to hover and fly around.
  • Manipulation--causing forces (squeezing, hitting, pulling) on objects (real ones) at a distance.
  • Teleportation--nearly any combination of telepresence and virtual reality between fog-filled locations

blog it
via: Utility Fog -The Future is Foggy! | The Daily Galaxy: News from Planet Earth & Beyond

related:
Utility fog - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Utility Fog
Nanorex, Inc. - Home
LinkNotes: Search results for nanotechnology
ClipsToNote: Utility Fog -- A Swarm of Nanobots