First Nano-operated Robot

Yeah, its finally Wednesday. Realised that this week seems to pass very very slowly. Maybe cos I've been doing too much, or maybe cos I haven't done enough. Haha. Dunno, getting a little crazy from the induced insomnia from work and my project work. I think I need a good, long night's sleep tonight (but who doesn't?).

Anyway, if the article I'm posting about is true, then I think we as Chinese, as Asians should be proud. Why? Cos China has (supposedly) built a prototype nano-robot that can "move atoms like people play chess or write on a tiny area that is as small as one-twentieth of the cross-section of a hair."

Why do I sound skeptical? Well, the lack of sleep is a possible reason, but more importantly, the article lacks any photos of this robot, there is no mention of a source, no quotes from scientists and no mention of any specifics. Of course, this could all be due to China's strict secrecy policy, but I would think such an accomplishment would, and should, be trumpeted. However, if this article is true, then I think we are on the verge of a technological revolution.

Nano-technology is the buzzword of our century as I mentioned in a previous post. And all the major powers of the world are rushing to build a nano-bot or nano-assembler that is capable of assembling items on the molecular level. Why? Cos if you can arrange the very atoms or molecules that make up a material, you can practically change all the properties of the material, and even make new materials or alloys that couldn't be made before. Monetary values of all precious metals, gems and such would fall, and whoever holds the most efficient nano-assembler(s) would, in theory, rule the world.

So, if China has successfully built this nano-robot, then I guess we can expect a much strong China in the very near future. However, I personally don't really trust this article, but I hope it is true, or at least that they are about to succeed. Hopefully confirmation of this will come soon, so that I can get a 10 carat diamond for my mom and my girlfriend without burning a hole in my pocket. :)

A nano-operated proto type robot has been successfully built in Shenyang, northeast of China.

The success has propelled China into a world leader in nano-operation technology.

Researchers at the Shenyang Automation Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, operate via a special microscope and computer screen the nano robot's hand, which is multi-million times smaller than a pinhead. The artificial hand can move atoms like people play chess or write on a tiny area that is as small as one-twentieth of the cross-section of a hair.

Click here for the full article.