Originally Posted by clickwir

In a way we already do.

We are able to run simulations on mainframe or superclusters that EVOLVE a design.

Say for example I read recently on a news site they were looking into finding a stronger form of silk. So they input all the knew about silk and told the computer what they were looking for as results. The computer then took that info, and made a new design. Then virtually tested it. It failed so it made a new design, tested it, it was better but still didn't meet the requirements. Then again... and again.. and again. I think it took them 10 days and about 20 "generations" of this but they found a new design for the protiens that make up silk and they now have a fomula for silk that is twice as strong, cheaper, finer, and lighter. We evolved in 10 days what mother nature took millions of years.

They are now using this same evolving process for new circuit designs. New ways of making chemicals. New designs that are just a little bit stronger or lighter or better in some way.

Only down side is that it takes tremendous amounts of power and processing ability to do this.