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Bar-Cohen : Biomimetics: Biologically Inspired Technologies  DK3163_c007 Final Proof page 216 21.9.2005 11:41am




                    216                                     Biomimetics: Biologically Inspired Technologies

                    Table 7.1 Defining the Capability Matrix for the Bio-Modules
                    Functionality  Bionanocode      Capabilities Targeted      General Applications
                    Energy storage      E       Ability to store energy from various  Supplies the energy required
                      and carrier               sources such as solar and  for the working of all the
                                                chemical for future use and for its  bio-chemical mechanisms of
                                                own working                the proposed bio-nanorobotic sys-
                                                                           tems
                    Mechanical          M       Ability to precisely move and orient  1. Carry moities and deliver them
                                                other molecules or modules at  to the precise locations in correct
                                                nano-scale — includes the ability  orientations
                                                to mechanically bind to various  2. Move micro-world objects with
                                                target objects and carry them to  nano-precision
                                                desired locations
                    Input sensing       S       Sensing capabilities in various  Evaluation and discovery of
                                                domains such as chemical, mech-  target locations based on
                                                anical, visual, auditory, electrical,  either chemical properties,
                                                and magnetic               temperature, or other
                                                                           characteristics
                    Signaling           G       Ability to amplify the sensory data  Imaging for medical applications
                                                and communicate with bio-  or for imaging changes in
                                                systems or with the micro-  nanostructures
                                                controllers and ability to identify
                                                their locations through various
                                                trigger mechanisms such as fluor-
                                                escence
                    Information         F       Ability to store information  1. Store the sensory data for
                      storage                   collected by the sensory   future signaling or usage
                                                element — behave similar to  2. Read the stored data to carry
                                                a read–write mechanism in  out programmed functions
                                                computer field              3. Back bone for the sensory
                                                                           bio-module
                                                                           4. Store nano-world phenomenon
                                                                           currently not observed with ease
                    Swarm               W       Exhibit binding capabilities with  All the tasks to be performed by
                      behavior                  ‘‘similar’’ bio-nanorobots so as to  the bio-nanorobots will be planned
                                                perform distributive sensing,  and programmed keeping in mind
                                                intelligence, and action (energy  the swarm behavior and capabil-
                                                storage) functions         ities
                    Information         I       Capability of following algorithms  Programmable
                      processing                (Turing equivalent)
                    Replication         R       Replicate themselves depending  Replicate by assembling raw
                                                on the situation and requirement  components into nanorobots,
                                                                           and programming newly-made
                                                                           robot to form swarms that form
                                                                           automated fabricators consistent
                                                                           with the Foresight Guidelines for
                                                                           safe replicator development
                                                                           (Foresight Institute, 2000)




                    terms of alphabetic codes. Each bionanocode represents a particular module defining the structure
                    of the bio-nanorobot. For instance, a code like E-M-S will describe a bio-nanorobot having
                    capabilities of energy storage, mechanical actuation, and signaling at the nano-scale. Such repre-
                    sentations will help in general classifications and representative mathematics of bio-nanorobots and
                    their swarms. Table 7.1 summarizes the proposed capabilities of the bio-modules along with their
                    targeted general applications. The bio-nano code EIWR k M k S k FG representing the bio-nano
                    system shown in Figure 7.12B which could be decoded as shown in Figure 7.13.
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