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#1. STATIC SELF-ASSEMBLY is one of at least four general types of self-assembly mechanisms; static systems are at equilibrium and do not release energy, such as molecular crystals and folded globular proteins. It usually requires energy input but the result is stable. https://lnkd.in/dMdgwXk View in LinkedIn

OSMOTIC HOSTILITY. "One of the biggest problems faced by halophiles in maintaining homeostasis is the balance of osmotic pressure. Since these organisms are in hypertonic solution, water diffuses out of the cells and into the surrounding environment. Halophile membranes are unique in their composition, just as thermophiles are." https://lnkd.in/dFvvrKf View in LinkedIn

GIANT PROMISE OF SELF-ASSEMBLY. "Self-assembly promises to enable breakthroughs across every applications of biology, material science, software, robotics, manufacturing, transportation, infrastructure, construction, the arts, and even space exploration." http://www.selfassemblylab.net/ View in LinkedIn

SUPER-SALTY NICHES. "Another group of extremophiles that have adapted themselves to an extreme environment are the halophiles. These organisms have the ability to grow at very high salt concentrations. In this case, the salt concentrations can be anywhere from 3% to 35%." https://lnkd.in/dFvvrKf View in LinkedIn

KEY PARTS. "Self-Assembly is a process by which disordered parts build an ordered structure through local interaction ... This phenomenon is scale-independent and can be utilized for self-constructing and manufacturing systems at nearly every scale. We have also identified the key ingredients for self-assembly as a simple set of responsive building blocks, energy and interactions that can be designed within nearly every material and machining process available." http://www.selfassemblylab.net/ View in LinkedIn

HALOPHILES ARE EXTREMOPHILES adapted to high salt niches. Most plants are salt intolerant. "Once inside the cell, salt can cause ionic stresses, largely as Na (and Cl-) inhibit metabolic processes including protein synthesis." But ancient bacteria thrive in these hostile environments. http://www.sebiology.org/publications/Bulletin/July05/salinity.html View in LinkedIn

THE RACE TO CHAOS is a driver of most inert material in the universe, to a more disordered, lower energy state. Self-assembly is the drive of free molecules to a higher ordered state, a property common to all living things. For this reason, and its enormous utility, self-assembly holds a particular fascination for innovative scientists in the quest fo r autonomous self-repairing robots. View in LinkedIn

TIP OF THE ICEBERG. "Few hypersaline environments have been carefully surveyed using molecular methods. Recent findings of bacterial and archaeal metabolic activities suggest that these environments harbour diverse communities of microbes, many of which have not been cultured." https://lnkd.in/dQM9KcT View in LinkedIn

SELF-ASSEMBLY AND SELF-REPAIR are characteristics of living systems that robotics engineers have longed to emulate. This ability is not limited to living things, as colloids, crystals and other systems also display self-assembly driven at a nano or molecular scale by powerful thermodynamic forces seeking energetic equilibrium. View in LinkedIn

FRAGMENT FROM NATURE continues this weekend with a look at salt adapted microorganism, and those adapted to high pressure niches. Both habitats are brutal on cell metabolism, and on the very protein components that service the metabolism. Extreme wholescale adaptations of cellular machinery are often necessary. View in LinkedIn