Self-replication system

Abstract

Self-replication system consisting of four different basic building blocks (simple blocks, mover blocks, gluer blocks, dissolver blocks), which can be divided into simple building blocks, active building blocks, and temporary building blocks. Simple assemblies, as well as long information carriers, consist homogeneously of simple blocks, and machines are composed of different basic building block types and at least one active building block. The object of the invention is to create a system from these few basic building blocks that is capable of building any structure, including itself, as well as enlarged versions thereof, with the aid of building instructions, reading, interpreting, and copying these building instructions, while acting completely independently, without the need for additional external actuators, microprocessors, software, or other external influences. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1.

Description

The invention describes a largely mechanical system for self-replication which is based on the fundamental modes of functioning of biological systems, in particular living cells, which can be regarded as a concrete implementation of self-replicating and self-reproducing automated machines [4] Alberts, Bruce. Molecular biology of the cell. Garland science, 2017.The origin of self-replicating and self-reproducing machines are the works of Neumann [1] by Neumann, John; Burks, Arthur W. (1966), Theory of Self-Reproducing Machines, University of Illinois Press. Since then very little has been done in this field, at least as far as the hardware is concerned [2] Robert A. Freitas Jr., Ralph C. Merkle, Kinetic Self-Replicating Machines, Landes Bioscience, Georgetown, TX, 2004; http: / / www.MolecularAssembl.com / KSRM.htm.Recently, however, the work area has undergone a rebelting with assemblers that can assemble themselves [3] Langford, Williams Kai, Amanda Ghassaei, and Neil Gershenfeld."Self-assembling assemblers and manipulators built from a set of primitive blocks." U.S. Pat. No. 10,155,314. 18 Dec. 2018. Inspiration for these various mechanisms arises from biology, where one can cite live cells as a concrete implementation of self-replicating and self-reproducing automata [4] Alberts, Bruce. Molecular biology of the cell. Garland science, 2017.The object of the invention is to create a system from as few basic modules as possible and as simple as possible, which is capable of constructing machines with the aid of construction instructions, of constructing any desired structure, including itself, and of reading, interpreting and copying these construction instructions, wherein the system acts completely independently without additional external actuators, microprocessors, software or other external influences and can generate enlarged versions of the respective structures and machines (scalability).This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. With minimal assumptions and four basic elementary building blocks (blocks), this invention shows how mechanical self-replication can be achieved. It can be considered to be the mechanical equivalent of what happens in living cells which replicate themselves.Several machines are presented which can produce in combination copies of themselves and their own construction instructions. All information regarding the construction and assembly is encoded in the system itself. In addition, the mechanism can also build arbitrary structures as well as perform simple calculations. The starting material, i.e. the blocks, is kept as simple as possible. The machines themselves are also built from these basic elementary components. This is an additive manufacturing method.As input, the system requires four basic elementary chip types and the RNA band containing the assembly instructions for the machines. The system then produces a new set of machines and a copy of the construction instructions, i.e., the RNA tape. Overall, the system consists of seven machines, with fewer or more possibly also being required depending on the exact implementation. Initially, two machines, the so-called brokers, produce the codons and the unfinished tRNA* from the basic building blocks, respectively, to be more accurate from the simple blocks. In principle, the builder could also produce single codons and tRNA*, but it cannot produce large amounts thereof, such as the brokers specialized thereon. The output of the maker machines is then sorted by the two sorter machines and, in the case of sorter 2, is additionally modified. The output of sorter1 is used by the copier to make a copy of the RNA tape. The output of sorter2 is used by the decoder to generate an ordered stream of blocks. The order of the blocks within this stream depends on the order of the codons within the RNA band. The builder then builds from this ordered stream of blocks of machines, including itself. However, it can also build any other desired structures. Their composition and design is determined solely by the RNA band. The builder can also build augmented versions of the respective structures and machines, making the system quasi universal and scalable. The builder acts fully independently without additional external actuators, microprocessors, software or other external influences. Dissolvable blocks are temporarily used as a fill material to solve location or position problems. They serve as components for an auxiliary construction without further functional significance and can be resolved later. In addition to the builder, the bakers (maker1, maker2) also have monomer blocks and can in this way produce stable assemblies, such as codons or tRNA*.Further developments of the invention are presented in the dependent claims. By means of protrusions and complementary recesses, the different block types can be distinguished from one another and can be sorted as required. The spatial orientation can likewise be detected or an orientation can be effected. During shipping and construction, the distinguishing features should not yet be extruded.The various types of blocks may be basically biological, chemical or mechanical in nature. Although the mechanical variant is substantially dealt with here, the mode of operation is not limited thereto. Combinations are also possible.According to a further development of the invention, it is provided that mover blocks expand in a defined direction at a defined point in time and contract again after a predefined period of time, wherein the mechanism of expansion and contraction can be of a biological, chemical or mechanical nature, in particular can be caused by magnetic or electrostatic repulsion, pneumatically or hydraulically. This allows in particular the different movement sequences which are required when supplying components, constructing components or decoding the RNA tape, etc. to be carried out.An essential development consists in that glue blocks can glue together adjacent blocks, wherein an influence region is defined by a direction, wherein the adhesive function is produced by adhesion, a bonding agent, by chemical, magnetic or electrostatic bonding or by its geometric shape, e.g. by a barb mechanism, hook and loop fastener or an interlock mechanism, as in proteins or click chemistry. This function is used in Maker machines and in the builder to join machines and other composites together into stable structures.Brokers (1000) can very effectively produce from two parallel streams of simple blocks (1003) by means of a template (1001) codon (500, 501, 502, 502) and 2-tRNA* (600, 601, 602, 603). For this purpose, the brokers do not require either RNA or dissolver blocks and only a small number of working steps, as a result of which their productivity is very high.Decoder machines do not effect a change of an RNA band and pass it on to a Coper machine. In principle, the RNA band can also be copied first in the copier and then passed into the decoder.The system typically operates on four types of codons (501, 502, 503, 504). These codons consist of three to five simple blocks (201). However, longer codons can also be used. For the direct creation of a positive copy by the copyr, the reduced codons (501, 502) or their generalization are used.The essential point of the invention is that it is completely independent, without additional external actuators, microprocessors, software or other external influences being necessary and all the mentioned structures and machines to be built being able to be built by the builder, wherein in each case an RNA band specific to each structure or machine or specific section of an RNA band serves as a construction instructions.Advantageously, the sorter2 machine produces the filled tRNA from the unfilled tRNA* such that the RNA band can be produced to translate the tRNA into builder building instructions.All simple blocks of a codon, tRNA*, RNA band and all blocks of tRNA are arranged in one plane.The system relies on individual components to be able to move relative to one another in a targeted manner; for this purpose, a number of possibilities, machines and composites with respectively specific properties are proposed, such as, for example, tracks, belt, conveyor, walker. The system, machines and other composites can be moved along tracks, with one or more mover blocks which expand in a first step in a direction perpendicular to the machine and contract again after a short time, one or more mover blocks which expand in the direction predefined by the machine in a second step and contract again after a short time, and one or more mover blocks which expand in a direction perpendicular to the system in a third step and contract again after a short time.Machines, walkers and / or other composites can additionally have at least one simple block ( 937), which serves as a permanent filling material without functionality.Furthermore, conveyor machines can be used for transporting mobile composites, wherein a conveyor is usually static, for example by fixing to a reference system or to a larger assembly.Conveyor consists of at least two adjoining mover blocks. Thus, movements in two mutually perpendicular directions can be performed. This is a prerequisite for a forward movement. Move-by-one conveyors are constructed in this way. Move-by-two conveyors have another mover block which can expand in the forward direction. Move-by-four conveyors have a total of five mover blocks, four being capable of expanding in the forward direction and one at right angles thereto.A belt is a composite that uses a conveyor to transport other composites, similar to a conveyor belt. A belt generally consists only of simple blocks. A belt may have a continuous sequence of simple blocks and, in parallel, an intermittent sequence of simple blocks, wherein a respective simple block is followed by a gap of one block length.A walker is a machine similar to a conveyor that can move itself along a track, including a possible payload.A walker can consist of several mover blocks or of mover blocks and at least one simple block. In this case, preferably at least two mover blocks having a first expansion direction and at least two further mover blocks having a second expansion direction, such as a direction of movement which is oriented at right angles to the first expansion direction, are part of a walker. Walkers, which consist of four mover blocks, are called Move-by-Two Walkers.2-codons consist of 3 to 5 simple blocks and are 2 blocks wide. n-codons with n>2 are composed of correspondingly more simple blocks.Reduced 2 codons (501 and 502) consist of 4 simple blocks and are 2 blocks wide. Reduced 2 codons have the advantage that the modified copy (1320) can thereby directly produce a positive copy of the RNA band. Reduced n codons with n>2 are made from combinations of the reduced 2 codons (501 and 502) and are composed of correspondingly more simple blocks, where n is an even number.2-tRNA* consist of 6 to 8 simple blocks and are 2 blocks wide. n-tRNA* with n>2 are composed of correspondingly more simple blocks.In order to obtain a greater diversity of variants and thus to code more information, n greater than 2 is selected. This may be necessary in order to ensure a clear distinguishability. This applies to codons as well as to tRNA* and tRNA. On the other hand, this slows down the decoding of corresponding RNA bands.2-tRNA* and correspondingly also 2-tRNA have lateral indentations which are required for transport. The indentations form an intermittent row with simple blocks, the indentations being one block wide, each separated from one another by only one simple block.Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The following are shown: FIG. 1 is an overview of the interaction of different machines, as well as required inputs and outputs, FIG. 2 shows four different block types, FIG. 3 shows a mover block in an unexpanded and expanded state, FIG. 4 shows three of several possible influence regions of a Gluer block, FIG. 5 is a list of all possible 2-codons, FIG. 6 shows a list of all possible 2-tRNA*, FIG. 7 is a list of all possible 2-tRNAs, FIG. 8A shows the beginning of the RNA band with the construction instructions for a builder, Figure 8B shows the 2 tRNA that matches the RNA band of Figure 8A, FIG. 9A shows three different types of conveyors, FIG. 9B illustrates the various states of the move-by-two conveyor, FIG. 9C shows a move-by-two conveyor together with a belt, FIG. 9D illustrates the various states of a move-by-two walker, FIG. 9E shows a move-by-two walker together with a track, FIG. 10A shows a maker, FIG. 10B is a full description of the maker in the form of a machine description language (MDL), FIG. 11A shows a sorter 1, FIG. 11B is a full description of the sorter1 in the form of MDL, FIG. 12A shows a sorter 2, FIG. 12B shows a complete description of the sorter 2 in the form of MDL, FIG. 13A shows a copy without and with 2 codons, FIG. 13B is a full description of the copier in the form of MDL, Figure 13C illustrates a modification of the copier that enables positive copies. FIG. 14A shows a decoder, FIG. 14B is a full description of the decoder in the form of MDL, FIG. 15A shows a builder, FIG. 15B is a full description of the builder in the form of MDL; and FIG. 16 shows details of blocks with protrusions and recesses.Note that different reference numerals have been given to some components or assemblies in different figures, although the components or assemblies do not necessarily differ from each other. However, in particular active basic components can have different properties, e.g. expansion direction, range of action, tick time and thus also justifies different reference signs.FIG. 1 shows the example of a basic scheme with the basic components of a mechanical self-replication system illustrating how different machines interact together, as well as the respective inputs to the system and outputs from the system. It consists of seven different small machines connected to each other. Listed on the left are the inputs consisting of basic building blocks (blocks) and an RNA band, also simply called RNA, which is the construction instructions for constructing the machines. On the right hand side, the outputs, i.e. the newly built machines and a copy of the RNA tape, are shown.Maker1 and maker2 are basically the same machines which differ only in the form and size of templates which serve as templates for the production of codons and empty tRNA*, respectively, wherein maker1 produces codons and maker2 produces empty tRNA*. Several specialized Maker1 machines may be provided, each producing its own codon type. Alternatively, a single universal and therefore somewhat more complicated Maker1 machine can be used which can produce all codon types. The same applies to Maker2. Codons at the output of Maker1 are sorted by sorter1. From the sorted codons, a copier makes a copy of the RNA band. Depending on the exact manner in which the copier functions, sorter1 may or may not be necessary. The output of Maker2 is passed to a sorter2. Sorter 2 differs from sorter 1 in that it not only sorts the tRNA*, but also fills the same with the respectively correct, unique block type. Each block type can thus be associated with a unique tRNA. The tRNA is then forwarded to a decoder. The decoder then uses the RNA band to generate an ordered stream of blocks, with the RNA band itself remaining unchanged. The ordered stream of blocks is then used by a builder to build machines and other structures. Whether the RNA band is used by the decoder and then by the copier, or vice versa, plays no role.FIG. 2 shows four different block types 200, 201, 202, 203. In principle, there is an unlimited supply of this. From these blocks, all the machines described above are built. In addition, the RNA band, i.e. the construction instructions for constructing these machines, is also produced from these blocks. All four types of blocks are of the same size and shape in their inactive state. Releasable blocks 200 are only required as a support material during construction, they release after a certain time, i.e. disappear. These may be bonded to other blocks. Simple blocks 201 are the basic building material. They are inert, do not change either size or shape, and their main property is that they can be bonded to other blocks. In this way they form composites. The sticking is caused from the outside by a Gluer block 203. In addition, there are mover blocks 202.FIG. 3 shows a mover block. This has two states, a normal ground state 300 and an expanded state 301 in which it is twice enlarged. It expands in a fixed predetermined direction d. This does it at a predetermined tick time, tt(tick-time). Tick time is relative to other mover blocks in the same machine. The mover block remains in the expanded state for a fixed time, et(expansion time). The mover block can move a relatively large number (several tens to several hundreds) of other blocks, which is more easily feasible in a liquid, for example. For this purpose, it requires a power source. During construction by the builder and also during transport, mover blocks of a machine to be constructed or of a machine to be transported remain in the basic state. The expansion of a mover block can be triggered in various ways. Possibilities include proximity or time specification. A critical assumption is that the mover block compounda cannot break apart.The proper synchronization of expansions and contractions of the various movers blocks within a machine is a prerequisite for the smooth execution of the necessary movement sequences. A given mover block expands at a predetermined tick time tt, and remains expanded for an expansion time et. After the lapse of time et, the block contracts again. Without loss of generality, both tick time and expansion time can be chosen as integers, it being true for all machines shown here that tt is in the value range between 0 and 9, and et is set to the fixed value two. The time unit itself is unimportant and for different mechanisms of implementation this may be different.Figure 4 shows a Gluer block. During construction by the builder and also during transport, Gluer blocks are in an inactive state. It has a fixed predetermined direction d, which defines the region of influence. Assuming that the direction points in the positive z direction (upward), then 400 shows the example of a 1-neighborhood, 401 shows the example of a 5-neighborhood (from Neumann), and 402 shows the example of a 9-neighborhood (Moore) with respect to the region of influence. All machines described in more detail below use the 9 neighborhood. If one block moves into the region of influence of a Gluer block, and if another block is in proximity (namely such that two sides of the two blocks contact each other), and that other block is also in the region of influence of the Gluer block, then the two blocks are bonded together. Several blocks that have been bonded together are referred to as composites. Composites move as a whole and their shape does not change, i.e. the positions of the blocks within a composite do not change. In addition, composites cannot break apart. The bonding itself may require energy, but may also be of a catalytic nature. The glue block itself may also be glued, with the exception of its active side, to which nothing can be glued.No assumptions are made regarding the nature or size of the blocks, except that they are relatively small. These could be, for example, biological, chemical or mechanical in nature. The expansion of the mover block could be caused by various mechanisms, e.g., biological, chemical, mechanical, magnetic repulsion, electrostatic repulsion, or hydraulic, e.g., the adhesion mechanism of the mover block could be, e.g., a form of normal adhesive, or a form of chemical bonding. However, it could also be a mechanical form, such as a barbed mechanism or hook and loop type mechanism. Even more complicated variants would also be conceivable, such as, for example, the Penrose locking [5]. However, it could also be magnetic attraction, electrostatic attraction, or an interlock mechanism, as found in proteins, or else in click chemistry.Figure 5 shows 2 codons. The "2" represents two blocks of width or two bits of information. Looking at the top extrusion, we see the binary numbers 00(500), 01(501), 10(502) and 11(503) with the lowest bit on the left. For each codon there is a corresponding anti codon. Anti codons are simply reversed codons. The whole can be extended to n codons, where n is an integer greater than two.The reduced 2-codon scheme is a coding scheme based on the two codons 501 and 502. In the reduced n-codon scheme, where the number n is even, all n-codons consist of a combination of the two codons 501 and 502.Figure 6 shows 2-tRNA*. For each codon there is a corresponding tRNA*. The lower part of the tRNA* corresponds to a corresponding codon, while an empty place holder 604 is provided in the upper part to carry a block. For example, the 2-tRNA*600 corresponds to the 2-codon 500, etc. The indentation 605 is needed for transport. This concept can of course also be generalized to n-tRNA* where n is an even number greater than two.Figure 7 shows 2-tRNA. For each codon there is a corresponding tRNA. tRNA are filled tRNA*. Filling takes place by the sorter 2. The lower part of the tRNA corresponds to a corresponding codon, while the upper part carries a permanently predetermined type of block. For example, 700 could carry the dissolver block 200, 701 the simple block 201, 702, the mover block 202, and 703 the gluer block 203. The respective association is arbitrary, but once established, must no longer change. The whole can be generalized to n-tRNA, where n is an integer greater than two, allowing for the discrimination of more block types.Figure 8A shows the RNA band with the beginning of the construction instructions for the builder (see Figure 15) beginning with the 2-codon sequence "501, 500, 500, 500, 501, 502, 500, 500,...".Figure 8B shows tRNA 801 matching RNA band 800 of Figure 8A starting with tRNA sequence "701, 700, 700, 700, 701, 702, 700, 700,...". Using the coding scheme of Figure 7, this corresponds to the stream of blocks beginning with "b, d, d, d, b, M, d, d,..." where 'b' corresponds to the simple block, 'd' corresponds to the dissolvable block, 'M' corresponds to the mover block, and 'G' corresponds to the gluer block.Figure 9A shows three different conveyor machines. Specifically, it shows a move-by-one 900, a move-by-two 901, and a move-by-four 902 conveyor. For example, the move-by-one conveyor consists of a mover block 903 which expands upward, and a second mover block 904 which expands laterally, i.e. in the direction of the conveyor.Figure 9B shows in detail how the move-by-two conveyor functions. The move-by-two conveyor consists of one mover block 903 which expands perpendicularly to the direction of the conveyor, and two other mover blocks 904 which expand in the direction of the conveyor. 901 shows the machine in the initial state. 910 shows a first step in which the mover block expands vertically, after which the other two mover blocks expand, as shown in 911. In 912, the contraction of the vertical mover block follows, and finally the contraction of the two other mover blocks follows. The machine is then again in its original state 901.FIG. 9C shows a move-by-two conveyor 901 in its basic state together with a belt 921. Considering the move-by-two conveyor as fixed, the belt 921 is moved by the conveyor 901, similar to a conveyor belt. The belt 921 corresponds approximately to the structural protein actin, a protein in eukaryotes, and others responsible for muscle contraction. On the other hand, the conveyor in this context corresponds to the motor proteins myosin, which is involved, inter alia, in the intracellular transport of biomacromolecules.FIG. 9D shows the operation of a move-by-two walker in a basic state 930. The move-by-two walker is composed of two mover blocks 935 and 938 which expand perpendicularly to the direction of the walker, and two mover blocks 936 which expand in the direction of movement (longitudinal direction) of the walker. In addition, the walker includes a simple block 937 which serves as a permanent fill material and does not function further. 930 shows the machine in the original state. First, the vertical mover expands block 935 as seen in 931. Thereafter, the two mover blocks 936 expand as seen in 932. The vertical mover block 935 is contracted, while the mover block 938 expands quasi simultaneously, as can be seen in 933. The next step can be seen in 934, here the two mover blocks 936 contract. Finally, the contraction of mover follows block 938 and the walker is back to the original state 930.FIG. 9E shows a transport system 940 with a move-by-two walker 930 and a track 941. If the track is considered fixed, then the move-by-two walker 930 moves along the track 941.This is reminiscent of kinesin, a group of motor proteins in eukaryotic cells.FIG. 10A shows the maker machines 1000. The only difference between Maker1 and Maker2 is that Maker2 is slightly larger and uses a different template. The maker takes simple blocks as input and produces 2 codons or 2 tRNA* as output. The illustrated machine consists of a frame 1008, a template 1001 and a blocker 1002. In addition, a stream from two parallel simple blocks 1003 arrives into the maker from above. The blocker 1002 prevents the template 1001 from being moved forward in the normal state. Two simple blocks are always pressed from top parallel to bottom. Once the blocks reach blocker 1002, it is forced downward. This allows mover 1004 to press template 1001 forward. Immediately thereafter, the template 1001 is moved back again by the mover 1005, and finally the mover 1006 presses the blocker 1002 back into its blocking position. The machine can now be filled again with further simple blocks from above. Throughout the process, the blocks are pushed forward by the template, thereby taking the shape of the template 1001. After two such iterations, the blocks exit the broker 1000.However, as they leave the maker, they come into the influence region of the Gluer blocks 1007. This causes the simple blocks, which then form a composite, to stick together in the form of 2 codons or 2 tRNA*, depending on the form of the template 1001. It is clear that the method can also be generalized to n codons and n-tRNA*. As shown, a maker can only produce one kind of codon or tRNA*, therefore one machine would need each per codon / tRNA* type. Although in principle the builder (1500) can also produce codons and tRNA*, it is very inefficient and mass production of codons and tRNA* with the builder is virtually impossible. For this reason, the maker machines are absolutely necessary for the invention described.FIG. 10B shows a machine description language (MDL) for the Maker1 machine. The machine description language represents an exact description of the machines with respect to the blocks of which it consists. It divides the machine into planes along the z-axis, 1010 showing the z=0 plane, 1011 the z=1 plane, 1012 the z=2 plane and 1013 the z=3 plane. Simple blocks are represented simply by a "b". Multiple blocks have one direction. In the text representation, this is represented by the numbers 0 to 5, wherein the 0 means positive x-direction, the 1 means positive y-direction, the 2 means positive z-direction, the 3 means negative x-direction, the 4 means negative y-direction and the 5 means negative z-direction. Thus, "G2" corresponds to a Gluer block ("G") oriented in the positive z direction. In addition to the direction, a mover block also has the tick-time property, a number between 0 and 9.FIG. 11A shows sorter1 machine 1100. Sorter1 machine sorts 2 codons. The left hand is seen to have a stream of random 2 codons 1101 entering sorter1. A move-by-two conveyor pushes it into the sorter1 machine. Then mover blocks 1102 attempt to push the 2 codons forward. The front part of the machine is, however, designed in such a way that only exactly one of the four 2 codons fits in each case. After this step, the 2 codons are then sorted. The method can be generalised in principle for n codons. However, the larger n, the larger the sorter1machine becomes: generally, the length of the sorter1machine grows like O(n*2^n), i.e., exponentially.FIG. 11B shows the machine description language for the sorter1 machine, with z=0 level 1110, z=1 level 1111, and z=2 level 1112.FIG. 12A shows a sorter2 machine 1200. The input to sorter2 is unsorted 2-tRNA* 1201 supplied from the left of the machine, with a move-by-two conveyor providing for feed. In addition, sorted blocks (not shown) are supplied to sorter 2 from above, directly before a mover block 1205. The mover blocks 1202 attempt, analogously to the sorter 1, to press the 2-tRNA* from back to front. Once a 2 tRNA* is detected, mover 1203 moves it upward by one. This forces blocker 1204 out of the way to allow mover 1205 to expand forward, and the tRNA* is then filled with a specific basic building block. This step transforms 2-tRNA* into 2-tRNA. In the next step, the mover 1206 presses from above onto the blocker, which thus again assumes its blocking position, and at the same time the 2 tRNA is pressed downward. Sorted 2-tRNA, eventually leave the front side machine as output. FIG. 12A shows, by way of example, all other tRNA types, such as tRNA* filled in a sorter2 machine and thus converted into tRNA. This is done in the same way with the other tRNA types.FIG. 12B shows the machine description language for the sorter2 machine, with z=0 level 1210, z=1 level 1211, z=2 level 1212, z=3 level 1213, z=4 level 1214, z=5 level 1215, z=6 level 1216, z=7 level 1217, and z=8 level 1218.Figure 13A shows a Copyr machine 1300 to which an RNA band 800 and sorted 2 codons 1304 are input. The feed for the RNA tape 800 is effected by a move-by-two conveyor (not shown). RNA band 800 is introduced laterally and 2 codons 1304 from above. Mover blocks 1303 then attempt to compare the 2 codons with the RNA. The process repeats until the end of the RNA band is reached. In this process, a negative copy of the RNA tape is made. Repeating this process with the negative copy would produce a positive copy.FIG. 13B shows the machine description language for the copier, with z=0 level 1310, z=1 level 1311, z=2 level 1312, z=3 level 1313, and z=4 level 1314.Figure 13C shows a slightly modified copier 1320 that can directly make a positive copy in one operation without bypassing a negative copy. The only difference from the copier 1300 of Figure 13A is an additional mover block 1321. However, the allowed 2-codons (500, 501, 502, 503) must be limited to the reduced 2-codons 501 and 502 (not shown). This results in that after matching, the additional mover advances the 2 codons perpendicular to RNA band 800. A move-by-two conveyor (not shown) conveys the 2 codons in the opposite direction, i.e., to the right. As an output, the copier provides an upside down positive copy of the original. Interestingly, the modified copyr presented can also produce without alteration copies of an RNA band 800 consisting of any reduced n codons.FIG. 14A shows a decoder engine 1400. The input to the decoder is an RNA band 800 and additionally 2 tRNA 1409, which pass into the machine from above. A mover 1408 attempts to match (align) the 2-tRNA 1409 against the RNA band 800 using a lever 1403. There can now be two things: a) there is a match: if there is a match, then the 2-tRNA 1409 locks to the RNA band 800 and the conveyor 1404 moves both 2-tRNA and the RNA band 800. A mover 1405 pushes the lever 1403 back and a new 2 tRNA 1409 can enter the machine from above. b) there is no match: if there is no match, then the conveyor 1404 only moves the tRNA, but the RNA band does not move. The mover 1405 also pushes the lever back here and a new 2-tRNA 1409 can enter the machine from above. In addition, mover 1406 pushes the non-matching tRNA down by one so that it will not later be in the way.A mover 1407 pushes a stream of ordered blocks 1420, the order of which is determined only by the RNA band 800, out of the decoder.For this version of decoder 1400 to function, two constraints are necessary: first, only tRNA 701 and 702 can be used, because they are unique, and a unique match is guaranteed. Second, RNA band 800 should begin with a codon corresponding to tRNA 702, only so does conveyor 1404 move both tRNA and RNA band 800 together. The first constraint means that with 2 codons only two different block types can be encoded, with 4 codons four, with 6 codons eight, and generally with (2n) codons 2^n different block types can be encoded.A stream of ordered blocks 1420 exits decoder 1402 and is passed to a builder 1500 (FIG. 15A ) for construction of machines.If one does not wish to pay the "coding penalty", one can nevertheless use the present design of decoder 1400. However, the tRNA must then be sorted so that no confusion can occur and the movement of the RNA band must be synchronized with the length of the codons used. Thus, for example, using 4 codons, this corresponds to 16 possibilities. That is, one must try all of these 16 possibilities, and only after one has tried all of the 16 must the RNA band be moved further.Figure 14B shows the machine description language for the decoder, with z=0 level 1410, z=1 level 1411, z=2 level 1412, z=3 level 1413, z=4 level 1414, z=5 level 1415, z=6 level 1416, z=7 level 1417, z=8 level 1418, and z=9 level 1419.Figure 15A shows builder engine 1500. The input of the builder is a stream of ordered blocks 1420 coming from the decoder. These are pushed into the builder by a move-by-four conveyor (not shown). After the blocks are in the builder, they are moved forward by movers 1502. These blocks now come into the influence region of Gluer blocks 1503 and are therefore glued together with themselves and possibly blocks already present beforehand to form a layer / plate of blocks. This is repeated until the panel reaches the end of the builder. Once it has arrived at the end, a mover 1504 pushes the plate up. However, the plate now comes into the region of influence of a further Gluer block 1505 and is therefore glued together with other plates which may already be present and lie above it.Builder 1500 may build any three-dimensional structure from the four basic building blocks 200, 201, 202, and 203 (see FIG. 2 ). Of these, the detachable blocks 200 merely serve as a support material, and in principle they contain the position information. The build volume is limited, on the one hand, by the number of parallel movers 1502 (four for the builder 1500) and, on the other hand, by the length of the build area (five for the builder 1500). That is, builder engine 1500 may build any structure having a volume of 4x5xn, where n is any. In addition, the maximum height of the builder itself is four blocks, determined by the position of the Gluer block 1505. That is, builder 1500 may build a larger version of itself, e.g., with five parallel movers 1502 and a build area of length six, or even longer. Since the builder can build both itself and larger versions of itself, it can be referred to as "universal". The effectiveness of the builder is nevertheless limited, therefore the Maker described above requires machines specialized for the production of codons and tRNA*, respectively.Figure 15B shows the Machine Description Language for the Builder, with z=0 level 1510, z=1 level 1511, z=2 level 1512, and z=3 level 1513.Having described builder Engine 1500 and understood its operation, a method for creating an RNA band for a given engine description will now be provided. Let the 2 tRNA from FIG. 7 be given, wherein 700 carries a dissolver block 200, 701 a simple block 201, 702 a mover block 202 and 703 a gluer block 203. In addition, it is assumed that FIG. 15B illustrates the machine description for builder 1500. Then one must ensure that the machine to be built fits within the building surface of the builder, which means in some cases that one must rotate the machine description. For the builder of Figure 15A, the build area is 4x5 blocks wide. Considering the MDL for the builder (Figure 15B), assuming x points from left to right, y points from top to bottom, and z points to the different levels 1510, 1511, 1512, and 1513, the first four blocks begin at x=0, y=0, and z goes from 0 to 3, i.e., "b_, _, _". The next four blocks begin at x=0, y=1 and z again goes from 0 to 3, i.e. "b_, M02, _", etc. Furthermore, empty spaces (""") are replaced by a releasable block ("d_"). This results in the required stream of blocks. In the example above, it starts with "b, d, d, b, M, d, d,..." ignoring tick time and direction of the mover block. This corresponds to the tRNA sequence of "701, 700, 700, 701, 702, 700, 700,..." which in turn leads to the RNA band of Figure 8A consisting of the 2 codons "501, 500, 500, 501, 502, 500, 500,...". The total length of the RNA band to describe the construction instructions for the builder is thus 4x5x7x2, that is to say 280 blocks in length, 4x5x7 being the construction volume of the builder, and 2 being the width of the 2-codons used. It should be noted that, for the exact description of the builder, the tick times and directions of the movers must not be neglected, which is why at least 4 codons would actually have to be used.Fig. 16 shows details of blocks having recesses and protrusions. This can be used to distinguish between different block types. The returns 1600 and 1602 shown allow four different block types to be distinguished. To recognize these recesses, the corresponding blocks having protrusions at the respective opposing positions (1601 and 1603) are needed. Using the matching mechanism analogous to the copier, one can distinguish the different block types, assuming they point in the correct direction. Taking into account rotations and rotational symmetry, it is possible to distinguish blocks of ten different block types using these two extruders. It also makes sense here that during transport and construction the projections must not yet be extruded.The above description illustrates embodiments of the invention. A large number of further embodiments are conceivable and representable, which likewise fall within the scope of protection of the claims. The examples shown are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope thereof.List of References[1] by Neumann, John; Burks, Arthur W. (1966), Theory of Self-Reproducing Automata, University of Illinois Press [2] Robert A. Freitas Jr., Ralph C. Merchele, Kinetic Self-Replicating Machines, Nations Bioscience, Georgetown, TX, 2004; http: / / www.MolecularAssembl.com / KSRM.htm [3] Langford, Williams Kai, Amanda Ghassaei, and Neil Gershenfeld."Self-assembling assemblers and manipulators build from a set of primitive blocks." U.S. Patent No. 10,155,314. 18 Dec. 2018. [4] Alberts, Bruce. Molecular biology of the cell. Garland science, 2017. [5] Penrose, Lionel S. "Self-reproducing machines." Scientific American 200.6 (1959):105-117.GlossarDefinition of the Terms Used.Anti codon: There is an appropriate anti codon for each codon. Anti-codons are usually simply reversed codons.Belt: a composite which the conveyor uses to transport other composites, a type of conveyor belt.Block: there are four different block types. These represent the basic building blocks from which all composites are produced. In addition, the construction instructions, i.e. the RNA band, are also produced from these basic modules.Builder: a machine that can be built from an ordered stream of Composites and Machines, including itself.Codon: is used to encode information. Composites are arranged in a particular way, namely that they firstly represent information and secondly are easy to transport.Composite: consists of two or more blocks which are bonded together. Machines are also composites.Conveyor: a machine for transporting composites, normally a conveyor is static, i.e. firmly connected to some other.Copier: a machine which makes a copy of the RNA band. Decoder: a machine reads the information from an RNA band and creates from it an ordered stream of blocks which the builder can then use.Machine: is a composite. Machines are composites that include active blocks, such as mover and / or gluer blocks.Maker: Machine produces codons or tRNA* from simple blocks.MDL: stands for Machine Description Language, is used to describe machines.RNA or RNA band: is a sequence of several codons, usually several hundred codons. It includes the construction instructions for building machines and / or composites. There is a separate RNA band for each machine.Sorter1: One machine sorts codons.Sorter2: a machine sorts the tRNA* and fills it with blocks to create tRNA.Tape: see RNA tape.tRNA: is required to transport construction material, i.e. individual blocks. The upper part carries the respective block, the lower part corresponds to a codon, namely in such a way that a specific codon corresponds to a specific block type. The central recess is necessary for simple transport.tRNA*: is tRNA which is not yet fully completed. There is still no construction material, i.e. a specific block, depending on the type. Sorter2 adds a block to it and makes tRNA* therewith.Track: similar to the belt, but stationary. The walker moves along tracks.Walker: a machine similar to the conveyor that can move itself along a track, including a possible payload.List of reference characters200 Dissolvable blocks (also "d") 201 simple blocks (also "b") 202 mover block (also "M") 203 monomer block (also "G") 300 mover block in the normal state 301 mover block in the enlarged state 400 1 neighborhood 401 5 neighborhood 402 9 neighborhood 500 2 codon (binary number 00) 501 2 codon (binary number 01) 502 2 codon (binary number 10) 503 2 codon (binary number 11) 600 2 tRNA* (binary number 11) 601 2 tRNA* (binary number 10) 602 2 tRNA* (binary number 01) 603 2 tRNA* (binary number 00) 604 place holder 605 indentation 700 2 tRNA with dissolvable block (binary number 11) 701 2 tRNA with simple Block (binary number 10) 702 2-tRNA with mover block (binary number 01) 703 2-tRNA with radiator block (binary number 00) 800 RNA band (beginning) 801 2-tRNA matching RNA band 800 900 Move-by-One Conveyor in the basic state 901 Move-by-Two Conveyor in the basic state 902 Move-by-Four Conveyor in the basic state 903 Mover block (vertical) (Move-by-two-Conveyor I 904 Mover block (horizontal) (Move-by-two-Conveyor) 910 1 step (Move-by-two-Conveyor) 911 2 step (Move-by-two-conveyor) 912 3 step (Move-by-two-conveyor) 920 Move-by-two-conveyor with belt 921 Belt (conveyor belt) 930 Move-by-two Walker (basic state) 931 Move-by-two Walker (1st movement stroke) 932 Move-by-two Walker (2nd movement stroke) 933 Move-by-two Walker (3rd movement stroke) 934 Move-by-two Walker (4th movement stroke) 935 Mover block (vertical) (Move-by-two Walker) 936 Mover block (horizontal) (Move-by-two walker) 937 Simple block (horizontal) (Move-by-two walker) 938 Mover block (vertical) (Move-by-two walker) 940 Transport system 941 Track 1000 Maker 1001 Template 1002 Blocker 1003 Stream of two parallel simple blocks 1004 Mover block (Maker) 1005 Mover block (Maker) 1006 Mover block (Maker) 1007 Much blocks (Maker) 1008 Frame (Maker) 1010 z=0 Plane (Maker) 1011 z=1 Plane (Maker) 1012 z=2 Plane (Maker) 1013 z=3 Plane (Maker) 1100 Sorter1 Machine 1101 Stream of random 2-codons 1102 Mover blocks (sorter1) 1110 z=0 level (sorter1) 1111 z=1 level (sorter1) 1112 z=2 level (sorter1) 1200 Sorter2 Machine 1201 Unsorted 2-tRNA* 1202 Mover block (sorter2) 1203 Mover block (sorter2) 1204 Blocker (sorter2) 1205 Mover block (sorter2) 1206 Mover block (sorter2) 1210 z=0 level (sorter2) 1211 z=1 level (sorter2) 1212 z=2 level (sorter2) 1213 z=3 level (sorter2) 1214 z=4 level (sorter2) 1215 z=5 level (sorter2) 1216 z=6 level (Sorter2) 1217 z=7 level (Sorter2) 1218 z=8 level (Sorter2) 1300 Copier machine with RNA band 1301 Copier machine with RNA band and sorted 2-codons 1303 Mover blocks (Copier) 1304 2-codons (sorted) 1310 z=0 level (Copier) 1311 z=1 level (Copier) 1312 z=2 level (Copier) 1313 z=3 level (Copier) 1314 z=4 level (Copier) 1320 Modified Copier 1321 Mover block (modified Copier) 1400 Decoder machine with RNA band 1401 Decoder machine with 2-tRNA supply 1402 Decoder A machine comprising stream ordered blocks 1403 lever (decoder) 1404 conveyor (decoder) 1405 mover block (decoder) 1406 mover block (decoder) 1407 mover block (decoder) 1408 mover block (decoder) 1409 2-tRNA (decoder) 1410 z=0 level (decoder) 1411 z=1 level (decoder) 1412 z=2 level (decoder) 1413 z=3 level (decoder) 1414 z=4 level (decoder) 1415 z=5 level (decoder) 1416 z=6 level (decoder) 1417 z=7 level (decoder) 1418 z=8 level (decoder) 1419 z=9 level (decoder) 1420 stream of ordered blocks (Decoder and Builder) 1500 Builder Engine 1502 Mover Blocks (Builder) 1503 Mucher Block (Builder) 1504 Mover Block (Builder) 1505 Mucher Block (Builder) 1510 z=0 Level (Builder) 1511 z=1 Level (Builder) 1512 z=2 Level (Builder) 1513 z=3 Level (Builder) 1600 Simple Lateral Recess Block 1601 Simple Lateral Protrusion Block 1602 Simple Central Recess Block 1603 Simple Central Protrusion BlockReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedU.S. Pat. No. 10,155,314

[0003] Cited Non-Patent LiteratureAlberts, Bruce. Molecular biology of the cell. Garland science, 2017 [0001, 0003, 0072]Neumann, John; Burks, Arthur W. (1966), Theory of Self-Reproducing Automata, University of Illinois Press. Since then very little has been done in this field, at least as far as the hardware is concerned [2] Robert A. Freitas Jr., Ralph C. Merkle, Kinetic Self-Replicating Machines, Landes Bioscience, Georgetown, TX, 2004; http: / / www.MolecularAssembl.com / KSRM.htm

[0002] Neumann, John; Burks, Arthur W. (1966), Theory of Self-Reproducing Automata, University of Illinois Press

[0072] Robert A. Freitas Jr., Ralph C. Merkle, Kinetic Self-Replicating Machines, Landes Bioscience, Georgetown, TX, 2004; http: / / www.MolecularAssembl.com / KSRM.htm

[0072] Langford, Williams Kai, Amanda Ghassaei, and Neil Gershenfeld."Self-assembling assemblers and manipulators built from a set of primitive blocks." U.S. Patent No. 10,155,314. 18 Dec. 2018

[0072] Penrose, Lionel S. "Self-reproducing machines." Scientific American 200.6 (1959):105-117

[0072]

Claims

Self-replication system, consisting of four different basic building blocks (blocks) which can be divided into simple building blocks (simple blocks 201), into active building blocks (mover blocks 202, gluer blocks 203) and into temporary building blocks (dissolver blocks 200), wherein simple building blocks (belt 921, codons 500, 501, 502, 503, anti-codon, tRNA* 600, 601, 602, 603, track 941), as well as long information carriers (RNA band 800) consist homogeneously of simple blocks, tRNA consists of tRNA* which each carry any block of the basic building block types, so that four different tRNA types (700, 701, 702, 703) can be formed and machines (builder 1500, 703), Conveyor 900, 901, 902, copier 1300, decoder 1400, maker1 1000, maker2 1000, sorter1 1100, sorter2 1200) are composed of different basic building block types (200, 201, 202, 203) including at least one active building block (202, 203), wherein: a) at least one RNA band (800) consists of one or more codons (500, 501, 502, 503), the sequence of which represents the coding of bau instructions for machines and other composites, b) at least one tRNA* (600, 601, 602, 603) consists of simple blocks (201), can identify different block types and can carry different block types, c) at least one maker machine (1000) which carries codons (500, 501, 502, 603, 503) and tRNA* (600, 601, 602, 603) from simple blocks (201), d) at least one sorter1 engine (1100) can sort the unsorted codons (500, 501, 502, 503), e) at least one sorter2 engine (1200) can sort the unsorted tRNA* and produce tRNA (700, 701, 702, 703) by filling with a block from different presorted basic module types (200, 201, 202, 203), f) at least one copier engine (1300) consisting of simple blocks (201) and mover blocks (202), codons (500, 501, 502, 503) used to produce copies of RNA bands (800), g) at least one decoder engine (1400), which consists of simple blocks (201) and mover blocks (202), uses at least one RNA band (800) and matches it with tRNA (700, 701, 702, 703) to generate a stream of ordered blocks (1420), h) at least one builder machine (1500) which consists of simple blocks (201), mover blocks (202) and gluer blocks (203) can build any composites and machines, including itself.Self-replication system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the presorging of blocks is possible by projections (1601, 1603) and recesses (1600, 1602).Self-replication system according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that mover blocks (202) expand in a defined direction at a defined point in time and contract again after a predefined period of time, wherein the mechanism of expansion and contraction can be of a biological, chemical or mechanical nature, in particular can be caused by magnetic or electrostatic repulsion or hydraulically.Self-replication system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that glue blocks (203) can glue together adjacent blocks, wherein an influence region is defined by a direction and the adhesive function is produced by adhesion, a bonding agent, by chemical, magnetic or electrostatic bonding or by its geometric shape, e.g. by a barb mechanism, hook and loop fastener or an interlock mechanism, such as e.g. in proteins or click chemistry.Self-replication system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized bya maker (1000) which produces codons (500, 501, 502, 503) and 2-tRNA* (600, 601, 602, 603) from two parallel streams of simple blocks (1003) with the aid of a template (1001).Self-replication system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Copyr machine (1300, 1320) uses only two different reduced codons (501, 502), which, in particular when using 2 codons, each consist of four simple blocks (201) for producing a direct positive copy of the RNA band (800).Self-replication system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that machines, walkers and other composites can move along tracks (941), these consisting of: a) one or more mover blocks (935) which expand in a first step in a direction perpendicular to the machine and contract again after a short time, b) one or more mover blocks (936) which expand in the direction predefined by the machine in a second step and contract again after a short time, c) one or more mover blocks (938) which expand in a direction perpendicular to the apparatus in a third step and contract again after a short time.Self-replication system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a conveyor (900, 901, 902, 920, 1404) is a machine for transporting mobile composites and is generally static, for example by fastening to a reference system or to a larger assembly.The self-replication system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a belt (921) is a composite using a conveyor (900, 901, 902, 920, 1404) to transport other composites, similar to a conveyor belt.The self-replication system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized bya walker (930), which is a machine similar to a conveyor (900, 901, 902, 920, 1404), can move itself along a track (941), including a possible payload.

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