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218 Biomimetics: Biologically Inspired Technologies

Figure 7.14 A variant of the initial Bio-Nano STEM system (Figure 7.12B), fabricated with enhanced bio-nano
code S, which defines it as a bio-nanorobot having enhanced sensory capabilities. The other features could be
either suppressed or enhanced depending upon the requirement at hand. The main advantage of using Bio-Nano
STEM system is that we could at runtime decide which particular type of bio-nanorobots we require for a given
situation. The suppression ability of the Bio-Nano STEM systems is due to the property of ‘‘Reversibility’’ of the
biocomponents found in living systems.

the BioNano STEM system, having the bionanocode: EIWR k M k S k FG and having enhanced
sensory abilities.

7.4 SELF-REPLICATION — MIMETICS: A NOVEL PROPERTY OF LIVING SYSTEMS
7.4.1 Significance

Mimetics of self-replication, as exhibited by nature, would influence any nano-level application.
We would need an army of nanorobots (or living systems), mass-produced via techniques of
self-replication (or life), to carry out many meaningful tasks at the nano-scale. These applications
involving nanorobots demand that these machines are manufactured in millions or billions and
in a timeframe reasonable for a particular application. One of nature’s noblest properties is
that of life. It is how nature progresses through its environment ever adapting and evolving.
Although philosophically what life means and what constitutes it is not very clear, what is clear
is how nature propagates itself with time and survives, every day and every moment! This is one
attribute of nature which is of prime importance to us as researchers of science and engineering, and
which, if understood, would bring a unique revolution that in a way would change the course of
our lives.