[tt] automatic tape-collecting lathe ultramicrotome

[Eugen Leitl]

----- Forwarded message from Joe Strout <joe at strout.net> -----

From: Joe Strout <joe at strout.net>
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2008 13:16:19 -0700
To: npwbe at googlegroups.com
Subject: automatic tape-collecting lathe ultramicrotome
X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.753)
Reply-To: npwbe at googlegroups.com


I've long thought that the biggest technological development we need  
to move us towards uploading is an automated ultramicrotoming procedure.

Now, some researchers at MIT and Harvard are developing exactly that:
  <http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2008/01/connectomics>

If you can look past the trendy "whatever-omics" bandwagon-jumping,  
this is really exciting research.  They're making very steady  
progress toward automating the complete scanning and analysis  
procedure (and digital reconstruction for the purposes of emulation  
would be just more data-crunching at that point).  They're going to  
be pushing on speed, resolution, and volume for decades -- but  
already they're in the realm of being able to upload complete circuits.

 From my former work in the visual system, I'd be thrilled to see a  
complete scan of a couple of mm^2 of retina.  But whatever they apply  
it to, the results will be exciting, and will make people want more.

Some of you know me from a couple decades ago, when I lived and  
breathed this stuff.  This was the research I wanted to do then, but  
it wasn't within my means.  Since then I've gotten on with other  
aspects of my life, but I haven't forgotten the goal.  This research  
takes major steps toward that goal, and gets me more excited about  
our topic than anything else I've seen in many years.

Best,
- Joe



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Eugen* Leitl <a href="http://leitl.org">leitl</a> http://leitl.org
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