Sci-fi Fridays #2: Artificial Cells (as chemical plants)
Reminder: For the next several Fridays, we are going to provide a writing prompt based on a technology we think is ripe for a coordinated research program. In the comments, we want you to create a piece of flash fiction that includes the prompt technology in some way! At the end of the eight weeks, we’ll pick a first, second, and third place winner through a combination of likes on posts and program manager discretion. These people will receive one of Spectech’s “core books” that we send to people who join.
Artificial Cells as chemical plants. Currently, chemical reactions are done in bulk and depend on everything in the tank coming to a new equilibrium. Living cells can be coaxed into synthesizing a subset of chemicals that don't kill them, but that subset is relatively small and opens the doors to runaway evolution. Abstractly, cells are systems that maintain an out-of-equilibrium state separate from the environment -- artificial, non-self-replicating cells could enable multiple reactions to happen in parallel and more efficiently, potentially entirely new processes.
(Hints: factories that can be transported in a bag full of liquid; chemical manufacturing that can scale seamlessly; products that can’t be created any other way; hierarchical, multimaterial structured created the same way an oyster builds its shell.)
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In the sprawling cityscape of Munich, Year 2080, Avani head of the molecular cybernetics program at Xtech corp was meticulously curating a presentation for eager students in the metaverse. The subject matter being "Historical intersection between human imaginaries in art and technology". Having sifted through clips of the movie Avatar (2009), she selected her favorite snippets to underscore her points. As she reclined on her couch, a thoughtful pause in her preparations, her sythetic iridophore skin material hummed and cast a soft blue glow, a living canvas for Solis, her designer synthetic photosymbiont, mimicking the bioluminescent skin of the Na'vi. A product of over two decades of relentless effort by the molecular cybernetic team, Solis is a non-replicating symbiont; evolved to harmoniously co-exist with other human microbiomes, while bearing a synthetic genetic code, made of building block chemistries markedly divergent from the 3.5 billion-year-old ancestral code, dictating the rest of her body's functioning. Powered by solar energy, Solis is dependent on key nutrients from the human skin for survival and in return can manufacture nanoinjectable vaccines, therapeutics and designer drugs on demand, instructions for which can grabbed from the ether by the neuralink. Solis, most importantly would provide a window into the inner emotions of humans and their interactions, orchestrating a myriad of iridiscent glows and fractal patterns on the synthetic skin matrix. With a smile Avani, broke from her meditation quipping, "the only thing missing is the tree plugin feature".
Title: Elixir of Evolution: The Triumph of Artificial Cells
Dr. Amelia Hartley stood at the forefront of scientific innovation, her pioneering work on artificial cells as chemical plants transforming the landscape of chemical manufacturing. As their breakthrough reverberated through industries, the applications of their creations became increasingly diverse and awe-inspiring.
In one notable instance, a brilliant scientist named Dr. Adrian Westwood approached Dr. Hartley's team with a paradoxical challenge. He sought a custom-designed material that possessed seemingly contradictory qualities: exceptional heat resistance, the ability to withstand enormous amounts of pressure, and unparalleled dimensional stability—no deviation even on a nanometer scale.
Dr. Westwood's vision was to construct a groundbreaking spacecraft engine capable of venturing deep into the cosmic abyss, pushing the boundaries of space exploration. However, existing materials were insufficient to withstand the extreme temperatures and pressures encountered during such interstellar voyages.
Driven by their relentless pursuit of innovation, Dr. Hartley's team embarked on a journey to craft a material that would defy conventional limitations. They immersed themselves in a realm where artificial cells danced with chemical reactions, working in harmony to bring forth a material of unparalleled strength and endurance.
Layer by layer, the artificial cells wove their magic, synthesizing and arranging the atoms with meticulous precision. The hierarchical, multimaterial structure took shape, imbued with the resilience of a diamond and the adaptability of living organisms. These cells harnessed their extraordinary abilities to guide the material's growth, nurturing its unique properties.
After weeks of tireless effort, the team presented Dr. Westwood with a translucent sheet—an ethereal marvel. This seemingly delicate material possessed an inherent resistance to heat, capable of withstanding temperatures that would melt most metals. Its molecular structure, carefully engineered by the artificial cells, granted it an unparalleled ability to endure pressure that surpassed any previous benchmarks.
Dr. Westwood marveled at the material's ethereal beauty, its strength, and its seemingly contradictory characteristics. He envisioned the spacecraft engine that would bear humanity to the farthest reaches of the universe, powered by this marvel of science and innovation.
The material's dimensional stability astounded even the most seasoned scientists. When placed under immense stress, subjected to extreme temperatures or pressures, it remained unyielding, maintaining its original shape and dimensions to an astounding degree—even at the nanoscale, where minuscule variations could spell catastrophe.
With the tailored material in hand, Dr. Westwood embarked on his mission to create a spacecraft engine that defied the boundaries of what was deemed possible. And as the vessel pierced the vastness of space (even black holes), propelled to faster-than-light speeds by the revolutionary material crafted within the artificial cells, humanity's quest for knowledge expanded like never before.
The triumph of Dr. Hartley's team resonated throughout the scientific community, inspiring countless researchers to harness the power of artificial cells to create materials and compounds that surpassed the limits of imagination. From durable yet lightweight construction materials to ultra-efficient energy storage systems and beyond, the applications flourished, forging a future where human potential knew no bounds.
In the annals of scientific achievement, the tale of the paradoxical material created by artificial cells became a symbol of human resilience and unwavering determination. It stood as a testament to the extraordinary advancements made possible by embracing the limitless possibilities offered by merging biology and engineering—a testament to the elixir of evolution crafted by the genius of Dr. Amelia Hartley and her visionary team.
And in recognition of their groundbreaking contributions, Dr. Hartley and her team were awarded the coveted first place in Spectech's coordinated research program, receiving the core books that symbolized their unwavering commitment to innovation.