Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
29:13
Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview
Published on: May 28, 2007
Towards a science of informed matter.
1Program in Science, Technology, and Society, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Building E51-185, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. efkeller@mit.edu
Summary
Researchers advocate for a "science of informed matter," integrating information and physical form. This interdisciplinary approach, inspired by biology, challenges traditional distinctions between software and hardware in fields like chemistry and robotics.
Area of Science:
- Interdisciplinary science
- Biophysics
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Traditional epistemology often separates information from physical matter, drawing parallels with classical computer science (software vs. hardware).
- A growing movement across chemistry, cognitive science, molecular computation, and robotics calls for re-integrating form and matter.
- This shift is exemplified by evolving representations of biological development, moving away from disembodied information concepts.
Discussion:
- The concept of 'informed matter' suggests that information is inherently embodied, not abstract.
- Biological processes are increasingly seen as a model for understanding this embodied information.
- This challenges the long-held distinction between encoding and enactment in scientific discourse.
Key Insights:
- Biological development is a key area where the reattachment of form to matter is evident.
- The limitations of disembodied information models are becoming apparent.
- A new epistemology grounded in 'informed matter' is emerging.
Outlook:
- Future research will likely focus on the practical applications of informed matter in fields like molecular computation and robotics.
- This paradigm shift may lead to novel approaches in understanding cognition and biological systems.
- Continued inspiration from biological processes will drive advancements in this interdisciplinary field.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:13What is Matter?
The substance of the universe—from a grain of sand to a star—is called matter. Scientists define matter as anything that occupies space and has mass. An object’s mass and its weight are related concepts, but not quite the same. An object’s mass is the amount of matter contained in the object and is the same whether that object is on Earth or in the zero-gravity environment of outer space. An object’s weight, on the other hand, is its mass as affected by the pull of gravity. Where gravity...
02:49Classifying Matter by State
Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes it undergoes. Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. Matter is all around us; the air, water, soil, mountains, even our bodies are all examples of matter. Matter is divided into three states — solid, liquid, and gas — that are commonly found on earth. The fourth state of matter, plasma, occurs naturally in the interiors of stars.
03:35Classifying Matter by Composition
Matter: Pure Substances and Mixtures
According to its composition, the matter can be classified into two broad categories — pure substances and mixtures.
A pure substance is a form of matter that has a constant composition throughout with uniform properties. For example, any sample of sucrose has the same composition and same physical properties, such as melting point, color, and sweetness, regardless of the source from which it is isolated.
A mixture is composed of two or more types of...
According to its composition, the matter can be classified into two broad categories — pure substances and mixtures.
A pure substance is a form of matter that has a constant composition throughout with uniform properties. For example, any sample of sucrose has the same composition and same physical properties, such as melting point, color, and sweetness, regardless of the source from which it is isolated.
A mixture is composed of two or more types of...
02:59The Atomic Theory of Matter
The earliest recorded discussion of the basic structure of matter comes from ancient Greek philosophers. Leucippus and Democritus argued that all matter was composed of small, finite particles that they called atomos, meaning “indivisible.” Later, Aristotle and others came to the conclusion that matter consisted of various combinations of the four “elements” — fire, earth, air, and water — and could be infinitely divided. Interestingly, these philosophers thought about atoms and “elements” as...
03:50The Scientific Method
Chemistry is an empirical science. Scientists often pose questions to understand the chemistry in everyday life and seek answers to these questions. To achieve this, scientists follow a definitive series of steps that together make up the Scientific Method. This approach involves making observations, asking questions, building a hypothesis, conducting experiments, analyzing results, and forming a conclusion.
01:32The Scientific Method
The scientific method is a detailed, empirical problem-solving process used by biologists and other scientists. This iterative approach involves formulating a question based on observation, developing a testable potential explanation for the observation (called a hypothesis), making and testing predictions based on the hypothesis, and using the findings to create new hypotheses and predictions.Generally, predictions are tested using carefully-designed experiments. Based on the outcome of these...