08-19-2011, 08:10 PM
Quote:In regards to the metabolism heating/cooling... I don't think reptiles use their metabolisms this way, so I think your incorrect.
Maybe I was imprecise and we got our wires crossed. I was talking more about this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basal_metabolic_rate
But since you mentioned reptiles, that's a good example of why when you say 'I don't care about heating or cooling the body...', you kinda have to.
Most reptiles are affected by the ambient temperature. If this muscle machine can only function well in say 21-23 degrees celsius. Well from a practical point of view that's a goldbrick of a machine. There better be some compelling advantages it offers over what we have with conventional machines.
You seem to be focused on the 'work' part. No offense, but let's say the tech and knowledge became possible literally tomorrow. Not cheaply or common, but we cracked the mystery.
Things like organ transplant and medicine in general will be the first to benefit. And absolutely things like safe lab grown protein for food. (Take that PETA!!11) Maybe specialized energy storage, organic based memory is probably too random and volatile (nyuk nyuk) but for the sake of argument let's put down more research on it. Maybe it could have a benefit in Alzheimers research. Most of the things you and others already listed basically.
But it would likely not replace Honda generators anytime soon. At least not the way you described it.
Even if it came down in price and availability, conventional machines still have a lot of advantages in most cases.
Quote:Sickness and disease would be a concern if such technology came to be, but I'd imagine the process wouldn't be much different than how they inject antibiotics into livestock now once every couple months to keep them from getting sick.
This was another reason why people switched to horseless carriage. Setting aside that I really doubt most people want to mess with more antibiotics, especially with the dangers of overuse etc.
Conventional machines also needs repair and maintenance. But you could put most machines into storage condition, drain the oil\fuel etc. This bio machine, if it was the equivalent of a horse for example. Will still need food, care, and possibly medicine even if it's just sitting in the barn. (Just modern efficiency wise. Horses are awesome in many other ways.) And I'm following your example of no complex brain machine, maybe just a very simple system.
For simple brutal efficiency, this bio machine will likely cost more money$. So unless it was either so cheap that it's almost disposable\recyclable, or have some incredible advantage or so specialized, it's a no go.
Again, it's mostly your focus that I'm questioning. I would absolutely love a bio machine like a tank of algae that converts my household waste into say liquid fuel. (I can have my choice between diesel, or alcohol based, just choose the appropriate algae packs.) But a bio machine to do 'work' the way you've described it so far, is way too inefficient for most things.
Unless I misread your posts, it sounds like you want to make John Henry muscles, so that it could operate a steam hammer. Or a muscle power a piston to turn a generator to power the steam hammer. While that may make an awesome display of 'SCIENCE!', it's not very practical or efficient in most cases.