Molecular copy machine

Today there are ways to measure the 3D surface of molecular and atomic structures, e.g. atomic force microscopy (AFM) that scans a surface and based on the force exerted on its tip, it can reconstruct the structure of the surface. The same AFM can also induce force, or through running current through it, bleach or modify a surface of specific materials.

I suggest connecting two such AFMs, where one is the reader and one is the writer for a molecular copy machine. One scans a surface and immediately transfer the 3D information to another one, which bleaches or changes the surface underneath it with the same pattern.

An ever more amazing goal, although I’m not sure it is feasible today, is to copy the actual 3D structure, i.e. not modifying the surface, but adding to it the appropriate number of atoms so as to achieve the same 3D surface. Probably a better way to go about it is to etch the negative of the scanned surface onto a new one.

Can this be made digitally, in the sense of high fidelity copying? If so, that can be a revolutionary way of storing data, art and communication, in the 3D surface of atomic structure.

Augmented Vision Part II – Feeling air

Today there are intricate models of air-flow, even in urban areas. Furthermore, based on the current weather measurements, there are extremely detailed pressure, humidity and temperature information of almost every place on earth. Wouldn’t it be great to actually see and experience them un-filtered?

I suggest to have an augmented reality device, e.g. Google Glass, that can present the current atmospheric situation at the place you are now. Seeing the actual air-flows, humidity and pressure variations, temperature gradients. This information can instantly connect a person to the surrounding environment.

It can also help scientists and researcher understand their models of air-flow. By combining the augmented reality not to models, but rather to in-place sensors, one can “go around and measure the flow of air with one’s own eyes”. That can be a unique experience and I propose one that can introduce new appreciation and sensation of the environment and its intricacies.

Another option to augment vision is with another sense, for example tactile information. There was a recent work where computational vision increased the sensitivity of movements, ones so minute that could not be seen by the naked eye. One can do this with air-flows, in the same context of walking and seeing air-flows, one can combine a wearable bat (see my previous post), such that detection of minute air-flows and winds are increased and are felt via wearable vibrators on the cloth. This can create a fully immersive experience: seeing air and feeling its flow.