Early 21st century convergence in cellular systems biology, bio-materials engineering, and regenerative medicine demonstrate exciting first steps in building functional organs. Ultimately, these advancements would potentially allow disabled people to replace their prosthetic or faulty organs with actual limbs and tissue. Visionary aspirations for this technology foresee an age of full blown bionics, where technology inspired by Neuromancer or Blade Runner becomes part of daily life, and helps cure currently untreatable diseases.
This week, news from the journal Nanotechnology was broadcast among the science press, carrying news of advancements in foundational steps towards engineering bionic eye courtesy of Prof. Yael Hanein of Tel Aviv University’s School of Electrical Engineering. Prof. Hanein has demonstrated stimulating neuron growth with electrodes, thereby providing one possible design pathway in merging man made systems with cellular based systems.
Prof. Hanein is the first to say that the sci-fi hopes for this technology are still facing formidable research challenges. Yet, considering similar engineering achievements like those found at Prof. Dorris Taylor’s rejuvenatory medicine stem cell lab at the University of Minnesota, or considering the work of synthetic biology pioneer Craig Venter, its becoming increasingly clear that converging trends in bionanotechnology are leading us to a bold and exciting new age. One likely to be subject to much debate and increased social responsibility, as well as off the chart dimensions of implant lust.
I love that sassy new iPhone app as much as the next guy, but I really can’t wait to say, “Oh my God who did your eyes, do they come with augmented reality?” at New York Fashion week.
There certainly won’t be a shortage of global competitors.
How much is it?
Comment by Brianna — March 24, 2010 @ 1:20 pm
Neither HTC or Sprint have hinted at the price yet
Comment by savanthongvanh — March 24, 2010 @ 1:33 pm
6 Megabits? In Hong Kong we already have 21 Megabits! and it's still considered 3.5G…our 4G speeds are forecasted to be in the range of 50Mbps!
Comment by Max — March 24, 2010 @ 1:52 pm
Max, yes, US speeds suck. According to Sprint their 4g speeds will average 3-6MB/s http://www.nextel.com/en/solutions/mobile_broad...
Comment by savanthongvanh — March 24, 2010 @ 2:11 pm
I'm still using dial up. Damn dats fasssssst
Comment by 4gfool — March 25, 2010 @ 1:41 am
Well, I've been obsessively checking every day, all day long for news of a 2.1 upgrade for my Hero. To be honest, I didn't think we would see a 4g phone until the end of the year. It may be impetuous and ridiculously optimistic, but I'm planning to buy the Evo for myself and my boyfriend just as soon as it hits the shelf. I've been waiting a long time for this kind of hardware on an Android device. I was an early adopter. I've had a G1, a myTouch and now a Hero. My dad has my boyfriend's old G1, My boyfriend and I both have Sprint Heros now. We had to switch networks when we couldn't get voice or data coverage in our home or offices. We have Clear Networks as an ISP, so I'm super psyched to see Sprint partnering with them. And I'm way excited about the possibility of simultaneous voice/data services. Anyway, glad to find a community like http://www.Evo4Gforum.net with full of people as anxious as I am for the release of the Evo.
Comment by coolfx35 — April 5, 2010 @ 1:49 am