In 1949, famed mathematician and physicist John von Neumann delivered a series of addresses at the University of Illinois, where he introduced the concept of "universal constructor."

The theory was further detailed in the 1966 book, , a collection of von Neumann's writings compiled and completed by a colleague after his death.

In the years that followed, scientists engaged in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) considered how advanced civilizations could rely on self-replicating probes to explore the galaxy.

As many theoretical studies have shown, self-replicating probes (released from a single planet) could proliferate and explore the entire galaxy within a few eons.

According to new research by Professor Alex Ellery of Carleton University, these probes may hav

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