Horizon - Season 41 Episode 5
Imagine a world where disease could be eradicated by an injection of tiny robots the size of molecules. That is the hope offered by nanotechnology - the science of microscopically small machines. But others fear nanotechnology could lead to a non-biological cancer - where swarms of tiny nanobots come together and literally devour human flesh. Sounds like science fiction? It certainly did until a brilliant young scientist called Hendrik Schön seemed to bring it a step closer. Schön's great breakthrough was to make a computer transistor out of a single organic molecule. It was an achievement of almost incalculable brilliance. Some speculated this technology could spell the end of the entire silicon chip industry. Crucially, Schön's transistor was organic. Suddenly, this seemed to be the first step towards true nanotechnology, where minute computers could grow as living cells. Scientists speculated about how these tiny machines could be used to target diseases with astonishing precision. Others wondered - could the military use them as a new weapon? Others, including Prince Charles, were terrified. If these machines can grow by themselves, how do we stop them from growing? What happened next would destroy reputations and shatter lives - because there was more to Hendrik Schön's discovery than anyone knew.
First Air Date : 1964-02-04
Last Air date : 2024-07-22
Runtime : 57 minutes
Genre : Documentary
Cast :
Crew :
Quality : 
Subtitles :
- Season 41 : Episode 12004-01-08
- Season 41 : Episode 22004-01-15
- Season 41 : Episode 32004-01-22
- Season 41 : Episode 42004-01-29
- Season 41 : Episode 52004-02-05
- Season 41 : Episode 62004-02-12
- Season 41 : Episode 72004-03-04
- Season 41 : Episode 82004-03-11
- Season 41 : Episode 92004-03-18
- Season 41 : Episode 102004-03-25
- Season 41 : Episode 112004-09-16
- Season 41 : Episode 122004-09-23
- Season 41 : Episode 132004-09-30
- Season 41 : Episode 142004-10-07
- Season 41 : Episode 152004-10-14
- Season 41 : Episode 162004-10-21
- Season 41 : Episode 172004-10-28
- Season 41 : Episode 182004-11-04
