Computational molecular nanotechnology
Remember this URL: http://www.zyvex.com/nano
Sixth Foresight Conference on Molecular Nanotechnology November 12-15, 1998 Santa Clara, California www.foresight.org/Conferences
The best technical introduction to molecular nanotechnology: Nanosystems by K. Eric Drexler, Wiley 1992
The principles of physics, as far as I can see, do not speak against the possibility of maneuvering things atom by atom. It is not an attempt to violate any laws; it is something, in principle, that can be done; but in practice, it has not been done because we are too big. Richard Feynman, 1959
Today’s manufacturing methods move atoms in great thundering statistical herds
Molecular nanotechnology (a.k.a. molecular manufacturing)
PPT Slide
Working backwards from the goal as well as forwards from the start
Two more fundamental ideas
A C program that prints out an exact copy of itself
English translation:
Diamond Physical Properties
A hydrocarbon bearing
A universal joint
A planetary gear
A differential gear
Neon pump
Fine motion controller
A proposal for a molecular positional device
Classical uncertainty
A numerical example of classical uncertainty
Transverse stiffness of a solid cylinder of radius r and length L
Synthesis of diamond today: diamond CVD
Some other molecular tools
A synthetic strategy for the synthesis of diamondoid structures
A modest set of molecular tools should be sufficient to synthesize most stiff hydrocarbons.
The hydrocarbon assembler
Feedstock
Parts closure for molecular tools
We could design and model a simple hydrocarbon assembler today
Critical assumptions in the design of a diamondoid assembler
The best way to predict the future is to invent it Alan Kay
Email: merkle@xerox.com
Home Page: www.ralphmerkle.com
The Power Point version of the talk is available.