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AFM |
See "atomic force microscope." |
AI |
See "artificial intelligence." |
artificial intelligence |
Using computers to model human learning and reasoning. |
assembler |
Also known as molecular assembler, an assembler is a molecular machine that can build a molecular structure from its component building blocks. |
atomic force microscope |
A microscope that uses a probe to image a material's individual surface atoms. |
automated engineering |
The use of AI (artificial intelligence) to allow computers to create engineering designs. |
biovorous |
From "biovore;" an organism capable of converting biological material into energy for sustenance. |
building blocks |
In naotechnology, building blocks are individual atoms and molecules that are used to create structures of greater complexity. |
CAD |
Computer-aided design. |
design ahead |
Designing devices that cannot be built with currently available technology in order to speed production once technology becomes available. |
Diels-Alder reaction |
An example of a distinct functional group reaction involving two functional groups, diene and dieneophile, each of which will bond to the other but not to itself. |
dissassembler |
Also called a "molecular dissassembler," and a logical inverse of an assembler, a dissassembler is a molecular machine that can reduce a molecular structure into its component |
EBID |
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EDX |
Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis. A specialized type of scanning electron microscopy in which x-yays are used to enhance resolution. |
electron beam induced deposition |
Also called EBID, electron beam induced deposition is the process of using a high-intensity electron beam within an electron microscope to induce the formation of structures on the scanned surface. |
electron beam lithography |
The process of using an electron beam to etch with fine detail into the surface of a substrate. |
entropy |
A measure of how much randomness or disorder is within a physical system. |
etching |
The act of removing selected material from a substrate, either using chemical agents or beams of focused energy. |
exponential growth |
Sometimes inaccurately referred to as "self-replication," exponential growth refers to the process of growth or replication involving doubling within a given period. |
FEA |
See "finite elemental analysis." |
Feynman, Richard |
Nobel Prize winning physicist credited by many for pioneering the vision of nanotechnology in his famous 1959 talk before the American Physical Society entitled "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom." |
finite elemental analysis |
An approximation method for calculating the behavior of a real structure under controlled variable conditions. A parameterized mathematical model of a structure is created by subdividing the geometry of a structure into discrete elements which are connected at nodes. |
Foresight Organization |
A non-profit group dedicated to promoting responsible nanotechnology research. (www.foresight.org) |
FTIR |
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. A method of material analysis that employs the mathematical theory of nineteenth century French mathematician, Joseph Fourier, to analyze electron density in order to gauge the location of atoms. |
global ecophagy |
Global destruction of eco-systems. |
Heisenberh Uncertainty Principle |
The theory by German physicist Werner P. Heisenberg which argues that it is impossible to know simultaneously the exact position and the exact speed of certain particles, such as an electrons. |
limited assembler |
A sub-class of a molecular assembler in which the assembler is capable of producing only a narrowly defined range of product. |
lithography |
A
method of surface printing in which images are imparted upon a two-dimensional
substrate using focused beams of light or energy. |
MBBs |
See "molecular building blocks." |
meme |
An idea that replicates through a society as it is propagated through person-to-person interaction, both direct and indirect. Memetics is a field of study that focuses on memes' role in the evolution of a culture. |
MEMS |
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microelectromechanical systems |
A generic term to describe micron scale electrical/mechanical devices. |
micromanipulation |
The process of moving and aligning atomic and molecular sized components. |
micron |
A unit of measurement equal to 10-6 meters. |
microrobotic |
Having to do with robotics at the molecular scale. |
MNT |
See "nanotechnology." |
molecular assembler |
Also known as an assembler, a molecular assembler is a molecular machine that can build a molecular structure from its component building blocks. |
molecular building blocks |
The components used in the process of "molecular chemistry" in which complex molecular structures are formed by covalently bonding simpler components together. |
molecular nanotechnology |
See "nanotechnology." |
molecule |
The smallest particle of a chemical substance. For example, a molecule of water contains two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. |
monomer |
The units from which a polymer is constructed. |
mutation |
An intentional or unintentional modification to the product of a replication process. |
nano- |
A prefix meaning one billionth, or 10-9. In the context of nanotechnology, it is generally used to denote A unit of measurement equal to 10-9 meters. |
nanobot |
A molecular-sized robotic device. |
nanoelectromechanical systems |
A generic term to describe nano scale electrical/mechanical devices. |
nanomanipulation |
The process of manipulating items at an atomic or molecular scale in order to produce precise structures. |
nanomedicine |
Employing molecular tools to address medical conditions. Also the title of a three-volume book by Robert A. Freitas Jr. |
nanoreplicators |
A set of nanomachines capable of exponential replication. |
nanosystem |
An assembly of nanomachines designed to work in unison to achieve a common purpose. |
nanotechnology |
The science of manipulating molecules and atoms to create precise structures. |
NEMS |
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NMR |
NuclearMageticResonance Spectroscopy. A method of spectroscopy in which material being analyzed is subjected to varying electromagnetic frequencies. |
polymer |
A group of components (monomers) linked together in a chain-like fashion. |
positional assembly |
The assembly of nano scale components through precise control of atomic and molecular placement. |
replicator |
A device or system that is capable of building copies of itself, providing the appropriate materials are available. |
SAE |
See "surface analysis equipment." |
scanning electron microscope |
A type of microscope using a beam of electrons rather than visible light. |
scanning probe microscope |
A type of microscope that uses a sharp tip to analyze the surface of a material being examined. |
scanning tunneling microscope |
A type of microscope that tunnels into a surface being examined using a sharp conductive tip. |
self-assembly |
In chemical solutions, self-assembly (also called Brownian assembly) results from the random motion of molecules and the affinity of their binding sites for one another. Also refers to the joining of complementary surfaces in nanomolecular interaction. |
self-replication |
More accurately labeled "exponential replication," self-replication refers to the process of growth or replication involving doubling within a given period. |
SEM |
See "scanning electron microscope." |
SPM |
See "scanning probe microscope." |
STM |
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surface analysis equipment |
a class of scientific instruments that provide information about a material's atomic surface such as atomic periodicity, atomic species, types of chemical bonds, local atomic and electronic structure. Examples of such devices include LEED, Auger, XPS, and scanning probe microscopes. |
TEM |
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transmission electron microscope |
An electron microscope that shines a beam of electrons through a specimen and projects the transmitted portion of the electron beam onto a phosphorus screen for analysis. |
UHV |
ultra-high vacuum; a low-pressure environment (as low as one-trillionth of an atmosphere) |
UV/VIS |
Ultraviolet/Visible light. Two classifications of the wavelengths of light. |
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Last update: October 16, 2001 |
