The Replicators Are Coming!

Christiana has a post about self-replicating robots. I wonder if you could build the outer layer a spaceship's hull out of these. A few of the blocks get hit by mircometeors or whatever, just release a few replacements from a protected storage container and "feed" the shield. Each block could also act as a sensor, creating a "sensor array" on the outside of the ship to detect things like radiation levels.

Or, a high tech building block set. Build a house or town or a toy gun or whatever. Hit a "save" button on one of the blocks. Then, when your little brother comes along and wrecks it, you can watch it rebuild itself.