CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have developed a new scientific process that could improve technology across the board.

Scientists are using DNA in an attempt to overcome obstacles faced by electronics.

This development could improve technology from high-speed computers to high-speed trains.

Dr. Edward, Egelman, of UVA’s Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, and his team combined a biological imaging process and physics.

They hope these findings will lead to the development of superconductors that could be used at normal temperatures, instead of the extreme high or low ones currently required by such equipment.





Such superconductors would be much more versatile than existing models, potentially leading to hyper-fast computers, even smaller electronic devices, lower energy use and more.

"It doesn't sound very exciting, but it opens up an incredible number of potential applications, such as eventually having superconducting wires made of carbon nanotubes," said Egelman.

One possible way for this to be used is the modification of carbon nanotubes, using DNA as a guide for a chemical reaction to overcome issues with existing structural engineering.

Egelman says this is just the very first step in this research process, and many of the potential practical applications will likely not be seen for decades.

The scientists published their findings in the journal Science.