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Nanotechnology: Are Molecular Assemblers Possible?

Posted by timothy on from the anything-you-set-your-mind-to dept.

Roland Piquepaille writes "Two experts in the field of nanotechnology, K. Eric Drexler, Ph.D., cofounder of the Foresight Institute in Palo Alto, Calif., and the person who coined the term "nanotechnology," and Richard E. Smalley, Ph.D., a professor at Rice University and winner of the 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, exchanged open letters about "molecular assemblers" -- devices capable of positioning atoms and molecules for precisely defined reactions in almost any environment. These letters are making the -- long -- cover story of the current issue of Chemical & Engineering News. At the end of this rich exchange of four letters, they still disagree about the issue. Drexler thinks "molecular assemblers" are possible while Smalley denies it. Who is right? Don't count on me to give an answer. This summary contains some forceful quotes from the original letters."

10 of 513 comments (clear)

  1. fp by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    fp
    bb

    1. Re:fp by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      hello anonymous coward... what's happening?

      uhhhhh... we got sort of a problem here... yeaah... you appearantly didn't put one of the new GNAA advertisements on your first post.

      mmmh... yeahh.. you see, we're putting the GNAA advertisements on all first posts now before they go out. did you see the memo about this?

      so if you could just go ahead and make sure you do that from now on, that would be great.

      and i'll go ahead and make sure you get another copy of that text. mmmmkay?

  2. This is not...the firstest post in the woo-orld! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    NO! This is just a tribute! *dow dow dow dow bagagagabbb*

  3. Assembler by termos · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    The Gnu ASsembler ought to be enough for everyone.

    --
    Note to self: get smarter troll to guard door.
    1. Re:Assembler by BinLadenMyHero · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      Dumb moderators..
      I found that funny.

  4. MOD PARENT UP! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    +1, Informative!

  5. Re:Yum by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    no no, "Natalie Portman, tied up, hot grits"

  6. Twinkies? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    The 80's called. They want their reference back.

  7. Re:MOD THIS SHITCAKE DOWN by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    I don't think it's working, fag.

    --Sir Steve

  8. nice name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Does anyone else think that the name Smalley is a perfect name for a scientist working on nanotech?

    Oh I bet he was teased as a kid. Hey Dick Smalley!