Horizon 2004 The Dark Secret of Hendrik Schön 2004
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.
- Released: 2004-02-05
- Runtime: 60 minutes
- Genre: Documentary
- Stars:
- Director:
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2. The Moscow Theatre Siege 2004-01-15
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3. The Atkins Diet 2004-01-22
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4. Secrets of the Star Disc 2004-01-29
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5. The Dark Secret of Hendrik Schön 2004-02-05
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6. Thalidomide - A Second Chance? 2004-02-12
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7. Diamond Labs 2004-03-04
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8. T-Rex - Warrior or Wimp? 2004-03-11
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9. Project Poltergeist 2004-03-18
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10. The Truth of Troy 2004-03-25
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11. The Truth About Vitamins 2004-09-16
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12. King Solomon's Tablet of Stone 2004-09-23
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13. Derek Tastes of Earwax 2004-09-30
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14. What Really Killed the Dinosaurs? 2004-10-07
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15. Making Millions the Easy Way 2004-10-14
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16. Saturn - Lord of the Rings 2004-10-21
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17. The Hunt for the Supertwister 2004-10-28
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18. Dr Money and the Boy with No Penis 2004-11-04
