Star Trek: A Replicator Question

[severne]

Apparently, the doctor did have a son (in the episode "Blink of an Eye").

Voyager got trapped in the orbit of a primitive planet with an extremely high rotation rate. So, for example, 5 mins on Voyager amounted to centuries of evolution on the planet, allowing them to observe the rapid development of the planet's primitives into a society with warp technology. Janeway briefly transported the doctor to the alien world, only to learn that the presence of Voyager has inspired invention among the society...

Anyway, when he came back, the doc mentioned he'd been married and had had a son on the planet while he was there. But there were no additional details about it in the episode (when asked, the doc just said "It's a long story") nor did it appear later in the series.

One review says: "I think we can assume the son was adopted (though Trek 'science' admits the possibility that The Doctor used any permutation of Treknobabble pranks like nanoprobes, DNA manipulation, and other hoohah to become a 'biological' father in some bizarre sense, I suppose)."

I'll ask my husband about the slush... but check out this FAQ page if you're interested in Trek technology: http://rec.horus.at/trek/lists/STtechFAQ.html#11.  It has some stuff on replicators and holodecks.

[kes]

I wouldn't dismiss Star Trek technology as fiction.  In reality, scientists are already investigating the use of nanotechnology for medical uses and aside from biotechnology, which seems to be the hot thing at the moment, nanotechnology is more specific in its uses since it targets specific cells.

Also, with the replicator, it will probably take a generation to devise such technology.  It's difficult to make something out of 'thin air'. Teleportation has already happened on the atomic level since scientists have been able to 'transport' an atom from one place to another.  Hyposprays are being used instead of normal injections.  Instead of mobiles we'll be carrying a comm badge used through the system owned by SingTel (when in Singapore).  So we'll be standing in No. 5 going 'Kes to Tuvok.'  Oh my!  What a thought!!  And it's only Friday morning.

If I'm right, warp speed can be achieved, and I'm sure some scientist some where in a laboratory is working on anti-matter.  It will take a huge amount of energy to go even that far, but yes, I think science fiction can be reality because of the infinite possibilities of marrying the human imagination with science which can create such realities.  

I just want the holodeck so I can play velocity.

[This message has been edited by kes (edited 10-05-2002).]

[kes]

If a replicator uses 'slush' to create matter in the replicator and is stored somewhere in the ship, how is it possible for the crew to give replicator technology to lets say a Bajoran refugee camp where there is no place to store the slush.  The replicator itself must store an infinite amount of slush to replicate things.

It must be able to take in some form of energy and convert it to matter.

[SkidMark]

Can a replicator replicate a replicator?

[severne]

Here are hubby's responses...

> so what happens when that "slush" material runs out? It occurs to me that if "slush" was replicatable, then Voyager wouldn't need to carry any to begin with... Does your husband have any info regarding whether slush is easily obtainable?

when it runs out, they have to find more. the slush is a sterile organic suspension which i figure can be created by breaking down any number of organic compounds ("...created by standard electro-centrifugal fractioning of a variety of materials, including seawater, outer planet satellite snows and ices, and cometary nuclei"). so it's quite easy to obtain.

but breaking down compounds require energy. replicating compounds also require energy. so in this equation, you would like to obtain raw materials that require a minimum amount of energy to break down otherwise you would be consuming more energy in the process of creating it.

> unless of course the human "waste" is recycled back into slush

it is conceivable that human waste would be recycled on a starship. its a matter of conservation. as dr opinion mentioned urine is already recycled in current space stations for their water content. recycling human waste i think would be an essential step for long term space travel to be possible. and the ships "bio-filters" would make sure all pathogenic material is filtered out.

and if you really think about it, the fertilizer we use on plants is basically animal dung and its gets converted by plants into its basic building blocks which we eventually end up eating =)

[Severne's note: Still, I wouldn't eat a new york cheesecake if it came out of a replicator!]

> how is it possible for the crew to give replicator technology to lets say a Bajoran refugee camp where there is no place to store the slush.

why wouldn't there be a place for it? i figure the slush could as very well be stored in storage vats/containers which can be located within the camp.

> The replicator itself must store an infinite amount of slush to replicate things.

even in a starship, the slush supply isn't infinite. it has to replenished either by getting some from a starbase or by *recycling* other forms of matter. same thing in a refugee camp - the replicator could have some slush stored in vats in the camp. (a supply a lot smaller than what a starship has) and as soon as it runs out, more has to be brought in.  

> It must be able to take in some form of energy and convert it to matter.

i'm thinking that it can do that as well but that using the slush would use less energy overall. in other words, it's all a matter of conservation (again).

> Can a replicator replicate a replicator?

i dont see why not.  

[Fat Bob]

warp speed? By all accounts, the closer you get to the speed of light, then time slows down. Einstein said this.

But do I believe it? Not until I see the proof!!

Other options are using trans-dimensional gateways or worm holes arouns the skies!

[kes]

I just love Star Trek.  All five of them