Concept Investigation nano machine that uses an STM to "program" a molecule 
into any of 4 billion states (they say). Zero usefulness as is but may 
presage things to come.


        Russell

__________

The machine is made from 17 molecules of the chemical duroquinone. Each one 
is known as a "logic device".


They each resemble a ring with four protruding spokes that can be 
independently rotated to represent four different states.

One duroquinone molecule sits at the centre of a ring formed by the 
remaining 16. All are connected by chemical bonds, known as hydrogen bonds.

The state of the control molecule at the centre is switched by a scanning 
tunnelling microscope (STM).

These large machines are a standard part of the nanotechnologist's tool kit, 
and allow the viewing and manipulation of atomic surfaces.

Using the STM, the researchers showed they could change the central 
molecule's state and simultaneously switch the states of the surrounding 16.

"We instruct only one molecule and it simultaneously and logically instructs 
16 others at a time," said Dr Bandyopadhyay.

The configuration allows four billion different possible combinations of 
outcome.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Matthew McMahon
To: Russell McMahon
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 3:07 PM
Subject: BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Chemical brain controls nanobots


http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7288426.stm
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