Constructing Biology...

[Overman]

My bandmates and I were discussing the next large technoligical trends. One suggested that one of the next large steps is to create organic cells that can be used as machinery. An example is how a spider naturally creates webbing that is as tough as kevlar body armor, if we could figure out how to do that then it would prove very useful.

This also took us in direction of technology mimicing biology. An example is how a mosquito flies. It can stop instantly and change directions...imagine that in a fighter jet of sorts...

Do you folks see anything like this ever happening or being possible (integration of biology and technology)?

[bob_kark]

Well, I know that it is impossible to scale up the flight mechanics of a mosquito into a working aircraft. An object the size of a fighter plane reacts to wind resistance differently than an object the size of a mosquito. However, there has been some promising research into the shape of a whale's fin. Apparently, if adapted to a wing of an aircraft it offers substantially greater maneuverability.

[cbish]

I would support and contribute financially into research that would replicate, in humans, a pigs 35 minute orgasm.