After Wil McCarthy's talk: Quantum Dots and Programmable Matter I overheard the following conversation: "Sounds like Snake Oil to me." "Well, if it is true, then one can make excellent snake oil out of it."
The "it" that Wil McCarthy was talking about in his presentation are microscopic small devices called "Quantum Dots" that are capable of acting like programmable atoms. They can be configured electronically to replicate the properties of any known atom and these properties can be changed at will. Properties like color, transparency, thermochromicity, fluorescence, many others still undiscovered.
Natural atoms need a photon for every electron and beyond 92 become radioactive and unstable. Because Quantum Dot atoms are not burdened with a nucleus to remain stable, they can cram in hundreds or even thousands of electrons, opening up possibilities that need to be explored and discovered.
Wil assured us, that no laws of physics stand in the way for it to become reality. It is all a matter of getting the manufacturing precise and granular enough. When he started to look into it five six years ago, he thought that it would be 50 years out before it would be feasible, but the advances in manufacturing absolutely amaze him. A year ago he thought within 12 years it will be possible. Today he is silent regarding how soon it will be here, and is working hard on making it happen.
If it works, it will be on the magnitude of the advent of electricity. The applications are almost limitless. The properties of everything we touch can be enhanced by Quantum Dots. He used the example of a house. Depending on the conditions outside or your mood, you can move windows around to let more sunshine in for example during wintertimes, or block it out in the summer.
Check out his book Hacking Matter and the FAQ on his web page. (I hope the hacked matter will be easier on the eye than his web page :-)
Bonus quote: Wil McCarthy build on Arthur C Clark's quote: "Any sufficient advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic". Will: "As long as technology is distinguishable from magic, it is not sufficiently advanced yet."
With our current computer and software technology we have ways to go :-)
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