Reality will be full of catomes? Claytronics
Incredible things are happening in the world of technology and all are converging in ways that appear to be magic.
I still remember when I went to hear a conference with the CEO of Intel Paul S. Otellini (2005-2013) in 2007 in Guadalajara, México. He was talking about Moore Law, Quantum Computers, Smart Dust (Claytronics or Programmable Matter) and Self-Driving Cars. I really was impressed and that stimulated my imagination, that was very exciting!
Before I continue developing the theme I want to be clear and be honest that I´m going to be very speculative but realistic with the science behind this. Similar when you read: "All people are going to have a flying car in 2015". They exist, but they are still rare in 2021.
Intel in collaboration with the Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh has a program in order to investigate Programmable Matter and they have a lot of research papers in prestigious scientist magazines.
What is Programmable Matter?
This is a futuristic concept to referer to tiny robots that can form groups and communicate with each other in order to make a macrostructure.
These little robots are called catoms, alluding to real atoms (the basic brick of matter).
Brief explanation of claytronics in comercial aplications
Render of catoms, the minimal part of Programmable Matter
In the future programmable matter could create macroscopic robots
We have seen examples of claytronics and nanotechnology in famous movies. We are still far of this.
This appear to be science fiction or something is far in the future but Intel have been made something similar with drones.
The applications of claytronics are vast, and scientists and engineers are taking this very seriously since 2007.
Last edition date: 13/July/2021
Jorge Horacio González Rivas
Embedded Software Engineer || Passionate about science and technology
I love learn, talking and teach other people
