X-Message-Number: 21111
Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2003 07:55:48 -0500
From: Thomas Donaldson <>
Subject: CryoNet #21092 - #21100

A bit more for Mr. Kluytmans:

I said that stiffness wasn't always a virtue. I will add here that even
if it isn't a virtue, stiffness to the degree you get with your 
diamondoid would simply be useless in most cases. If you use it to
make nanosized machines, then it may have some use: though we must
assume that such machines really do work better, especially in a 
milieu full of other interfering molecules.

As for biological molecules, here is a bit about proteins: their 
central structure depends on covalent bonds, with changing structures
(depending on their environment and role) given by hydrogen bonds...
a kind of weak ionic bond. We also have other nonprotein molecules
playing major roles, such as fats of many different kinds depending
on their role. That the structure of enzymes can change is part of
their essential function.

Incidentally, when spiderweb protein was synthesized, it awoke lots of
interest in those really interested in doing something with nano-
technology rather than theorizing about it. As for "strongest and
hardest materials which biology produces", that is basically an
irrelevant question. We don't want to make our nanomachines
strong and hard. We want to make them so that they do what we 
want.

                   Best wishes and long long life for all,

                        Thomas Donaldson

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