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."
Minor correction (Score:5, Informative)
electropermanent magnets turn off with current, not on. The electromagnet neutralizes the permanent magnet while the circuit is active. This makes the connection via the permanent magnet energy efficient - no current is required to turn it on, only break the bond.
Re:Murder Weapon (Score:3, Informative)
Perhaps he just read that the US Supreme court just ruled that you can be strip searched for ANY arrest.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/03/us/justices-approve-strip-searches-for-any-offense.html [nytimes.com]
Makes you a little more paranoid about police powers.