news.mit.edu

YarHarSuperstar, 16 days ago (edited 16 days ago) to futurology in Scientists preserve DNA in an amber-like polymer - With their “T-REX” method, DNA embedded in the polymer could be used for long-term storage of genomes or digital data such as photos and music.

I want to be able to store data for a super long time, this sounds great for that.

Edit: after finishing the whole article, I’m really amazed at the possible applications. Seems like it could be the type of incredible advancement that CRISPR has shown itself to be, or maybe I’m just making that connection because they’re both involving DNA

threelonmusketeers, 16 days ago to futurology in Scientists preserve DNA in an amber-like polymer - With their “T-REX” method, DNA embedded in the polymer could be used for long-term storage of genomes or digital data such as photos and music.

DNA has amazing information density. Read/write times, not so much. Long-term archives sound like a good application.

Septimaeus, 2 months ago to futurology in MIT researchers discover "photomolecular effect": light alone can evaporate water without heat, a previously unknown physics phenomenon that could enable new technologies

PaperIf I understand correctly, it relates to light’s behavior as both a particle and a wave. Photons can “shave” molecules off the surface of water, creating vapor.

The effect apparently peaks around 520 nm (the visible color cyan, which has lower thermal absorption) and at an angle of 45 deg. Would these results suggest it’s actually possible to induce evaporative cooling with the careful application of light?