Computational molecular nanotechnology

2/1/98


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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)

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Working backwards from the goal as well as forwards from the start

Two more fundamental ideas

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A C program that prints out an exact copy of itself

English translation:

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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

Transverse stiffness of a solid cylinder of radius r and length L

Synthesis of diamond today: diamond CVD

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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

Author: Ralph C. Merkle

Email: merkle@xerox.com

Home Page: www.ralphmerkle.com

The Power Point version of the talk is available.