Self-Sculpting "Sand" Can Allow Spontaneous Formation of Tools 124
parallel_prankster writes "Researchers at MIT are developing tiny robots that can assemble themselves into products and then disassemble when no longer needed. 'A heap of smart sand would be analogous to the rough block of stone that a sculptor begins with. The individual grains would pass messages back and forth and selectively attach to each other to form a three-dimensional object; the grains not necessary to build that object would simply fall away. When the object had served its purpose, it would be returned to the heap. Its constituent grains would detach from each other, becoming free to participate in the formation of a new shape.' To attach to each other, to communicate and to share power, the cubes use 'electropermanent magnets,' materials whose magnetism can be switched on and off with jolts of electricity."
Has no one seen Stargate: SG-1 or Atlantis? (Score:5, Funny)
They are near impossible to kill when they take human form.
Re:Murder Weapon (Score:5, Funny)
Like that would stop them. Any person in a city with a beach would just be declared a terrorist and sent to Guantana—
Oh wait... Shit.
Re:Murder Weapon (Score:5, Funny)
That's why I always walk around naked. Clothing is for people who have something to hide. What are you, a criminal?
Re:Murder Weapon (Score:5, Funny)
No, just fat.
Re:Sandy bottoms... (Score:4, Funny)
Think of it this way... self removing ass sand.