Self-Replicating Machines - Applications
- Definition of Self-Replicating Machines
- Self-replicating machines are artificial structures that can make copies of themselves. Our research focuses on the computational simulation of self-replication. We study structures that assemble copies of themselves from specially designed components. It is not possible for these structures to replicate indefinitely, since replication requires a continuous supply of these special components.
- Manufacturing
- Self-replication is an effective approach to very low-cost manufacturing. Most manufactured products use material derived from self-replicating processes (living organisms). Even plastics use petroleum, which originated from organic processes.
- Origins of Life
- The study of self-replicating machines may lead to a better understanding of the origins of life on Earth.
- Environmental Remediation
- Self-replicating machines may be useful for cleanup and restoration of damaged environments. For example, self-replicating machines might be used to clean up oil spills.
Updated: February 3, 2007.