Craig Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/scientists-create-life-like-cells-out-of-metal/ Quite an interesting read, albeit a bit brief. One of the greatest challenges facing scientists in the search for life is figuring out what life is and where it can thrive. As you’re probably aware, all life on Earth is carbon-based. Carbon is an extremely versatile element, so it provides a perfect foundation for life to form and evolve. However, does that mean that carbon is the only element that can support life? Previously, scientists have believed that life could form from other elements (namely silicon), but now we have some evidence to support this hypothesis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Type-R Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 I thought you were talking about our love for heavy metal music! ROCK ON - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Posted March 24, 2014 Author Share Posted March 24, 2014 I thought you were talking about our love for heavy metal music! ROCK ON - That would "A metal based life". A subtle difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stash Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 So if i see something silver coming under my door than I know some Scientist has created Terminator 3 (?) for real. Still it was an interesting article and opens the brain up to what life could be - always thought of animal,veg etc being carbon based. Would they be "Head Bangers" literally - metal based life that is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tibbz2 Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 Will be interesting to see what comes of the evolution part of the experiment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 It is very difficult to get ones head around a non carbon life form. But then people struggled to comprehend lots of things which have subsequently been proven correct. The article doesn't go into much detail, so it's hard to know what this cronin guy has actually achieved. Made microscopic tungsten balls with pores in, and put some smaller balls inside larger balls. This all seems to be based in a water environment so is still H2O dependant. I'm unclear what these balls can do / have done. Another article suggests they may be able to host photosynthesis given the right building blocks and conditions. My gut feeling is that this form of "life" would be more akin to viruses, and there will be a long debate about whether they are "alive" or not. It will certainly be interesting to see how this pans out. This would make a good horizon programme if not already covered. Jd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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