|Research Focus Star Trek replicators and diatom nanotechnology

Abstract

Diatoms are single celled algae, the 10 5 –10 6 species of which create a wide variety of three-dimensional amorphous silica shells. If we could get them to produce useful structures, perhaps by compustat selection experiments (i.e. forced evolution of development or evodevo), their exponential growth in suspension cultures could compete with the lithography techniques of present day nanotechnology, which have limited 3D capabilities. Alternatively, their fine detail could be used for templates for MEMS (micro electro mechanical systems), or their silica deposition systems isolated for guiding silica deposition. A recent paper has demonstrated that silica can be replaced atom for atom without change of shape – a step towards the Star Trek replicator. Given that diatoms are responsible for,25 % of the world’s net primary production [1] they have been the most underfunded organism per unit mass. This might be about to change with a flurry of activity in a new field dubbed ‘diatom nanotechnology’, which will have its debut in a workshop at the next North American Diato