英语听力文摘 English Digest 204、纳米机器人
时间：2019-02-24 作者：英语课 分类：英语听力文摘 English Digest
Robot Attack
“纳米机器人”的研制属于分子仿生学的范畴，它根据分子水平的生物学原理为设计原型，设计制造可对纳米空间进行操作的“功能分子器件”。纳米生物学的近期设想，是在纳米尺度上应用生物学原理，发现新现象，研制可编程的分子机器人，也称纳米机器人。合成生物学对细胞信号传导与基因调控网络重新设计，开发“在体”（in vivo）或“湿”的生物计算机或细胞机器人，从而产生了另种方式的纳米机器人技术。
Nanotechnology scientists dream of some day creating robots the size of molecules 1, or even turning molecules into machines that could roam the human body and perform all sorts of useful tasks.
But some nanotechnology theorists and science fiction aficionados 2 imagine a more ominous 3 possibility. What if one of these tiny robots was given the ability to self-replicate?
All it would take is a single malfunction 4 and the robots would consume everything in the galaxy 5 as they multiply out of control until all that was left was a shapeless, robotic mass called “grey goo.” Now, before you go heading for the hills with a year’s supply of water and a survival guide, understand that the death-by-robot scenario 6 is just that–a scenario, and a pretty fanciful one to boot.
First, we’re nowhere near the point of being able to create a self-replicating nano-machine. But even if such machines do one day exist, they would have a hard time taking over the universe for one simple reason: fuel.
Even microscopic 7 machines need an energy source. Inorganic 8 matter like rocks and minerals wouldn’t do the trick because they just don’t contain stuff that the machines could break down and use for power.
But what if a mad scientist created a robot that fed on organic materials like sunlight and living things? Not to worry. Natural life forms have had around four billion years of training to compete for resources; the killer 9 robots probably wouldn’t stand much of a chance against such streamlined competitors. Plus, if the robots were made from organic materials, they might be preyed 10 on by bacteria or other predators 11.
- The structure of molecules can be seen under an electron microscope. 分子的结构可在电子显微镜下观察到。
- Inside the reactor the large molecules are cracked into smaller molecules. 在反应堆里，大分子裂变为小分子。
- West Coast aficionados of postwar coffee-shop architecture(Karal Ann Marling) 西海岸战后咖啡店式建筑的狂热追随者（卡拉尔安马林） 来自互联网
- Clay developed a radical style which appalled boxing aficionados. 克莱发展出一种震惊拳击迷的全新风格。 来自互联网
- Those black clouds look ominous for our picnic.那些乌云对我们的野餐来说是个不祥之兆。
- There was an ominous silence at the other end of the phone.电话那头出现了不祥的沉默。
- There must have been a computer malfunction.一定是出了电脑故障。
- Results have been delayed owing to a malfunction in the computer.由于电脑发生故障，计算结果推迟了。
- The earth is one of the planets in the Galaxy.地球是银河系中的星球之一。
- The company has a galaxy of talent.该公司拥有一批优秀的人才。
- But the birth scenario is not completely accurate.然而分娩脚本并非完全准确的。
- This is a totally different scenario.这是完全不同的剧本。
- It's impossible to read his microscopic handwriting.不可能看清他那极小的书写字迹。
- A plant's lungs are the microscopic pores in its leaves.植物的肺就是其叶片上微细的气孔。
- The fundamentals of inorganic chemistry are very important.无机化学的基础很重要。
- This chemical plant recently bought a large quantity of inorganic salt.这家化工厂又买进了大量的无机盐。
- Heart attacks have become Britain's No.1 killer disease.心脏病已成为英国的头号致命疾病。
- The bulk of the evidence points to him as her killer.大量证据证明是他杀死她的。
- Remorse preyed upon his mind. 悔恨使他内心痛苦。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
- He had been unwise and it preyed on his conscience. 他做得不太明智，这一直让他良心不安。 来自辞典例句