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Nanotech Assembly One Step Closer

Posted by Hemos on from the one-step-closer-to-the-edge dept.

perrin5 writes "according to Science Daily researchers at University at Buffalo have managed to assemble 3D structures of carbon,silicon, and latex by using "non uniform AC electric fields" as the shaping impetus. I've never really understood exactly what purpose nano-machines were going to fufill, especially in their early stages. Any one care to fill me in?"

5 of 44 comments (clear)

  1. Nanotech by TheOnlyCoolTim · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It's the damn future! Read Neal Stephenson's The Diamond Age.

    For example, imagine if you never had to take a shower or bath again, becuase there were tiny little robots that went over you in your sleep, grabbed all the dirt in their tiny robot claws, and threw it in a tiny robot garbage can.

    Tim

    --
    Omnia vestra castrorum habetur nobis.
    1. Re:Nanotech by satanami69 · · Score: 5, Funny

      I think they call them Dust Mites. But last time I checked, they didn't die on my toungue and leave
      fecal matter which formed the crusties in the corner of my eye.

      (Never let a Kurby salesman into your home, becuase you
      learn way too much about what you sleep in)

      --
      I really hate Dan Patrick.
  2. What can they do? by TheSHAD0W · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Well, let's look on the computing side...

    * Assembly of computer chips, atom by atom.
    * Reconfigurable computing -- use the silicon to its optimum.

    If we can use nanoassemblers to create macro-sized objects, such as Stephenson's feed/seed does, then each item that comes out of the assembler (maybe in your own home, using the master template) will be absolutely identical to the others; no manufacturing errors, no worrying about tolerances, because an atom is an atom.

    For that matter, if items can be made quickly enough, there won't be any assembly lines at all; instead, items will be manufactured as needed. No inventories (except of raw materials)...

    An economy based on nanotech would be completely different from the one we have now, and IMO mostly for the better; but the transition is going to be murder...

    1. Re:What can they do? by TheSHAD0W · · Score: 5, Informative

      Well, in Stephenson's Diamond Age, that's basically what was happening, except one step further on... Nanotech was based on "feed" technology, where in order for a nanofactory to work it had to be hooked up to a source pipe. Since each pattern had a different number of atoms of each type, each pattern had its own fingerprint, and if objects were generated without the IP holder being paid royalties, or if the objects were dangerous, the culprit could be tracked down.

      There was a new technology, called "seed" technology, where an independent bunch of nanos would not only act as a factory, but would also absorb raw materials by themselves. The powers that be were quite unhappy with their loss of control over nanotech, and were actively trying to suppress the new paradigm.

  3. Ask me again in 1000 years... by tlambert · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Ask me again in 1000 years.

    Nanotechnology is a long term investment. Its for people who expect to be around, and have to live with the consequences of their present day actions.

    But if you absolutely need an answer on what initial value it's going to have, here's one for you: hydroxyapatite.

    Otherwise known as rebuilding your tooth enamel an atom at a time, following tooth decay, instea of putting in these big metal wedges which cause them to crack and which leak mercury, or grinding them down to little nubs and capping them with steel and porcelin.

    It's amazing how many new technologies get their start at dentists offices... like, oh, say, anesthetics.

    -- Terry