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To read this on the Web, with nice formatting and hyperlinks, go to — crnano.org/archive05.htm#30
CONTENTS:
- CRN goes to Minnesota
- Moving Closer to a Manufacturing Revolution
- War, Interdependence, and Nanotechnology
- Nanotechnology Research Discrepancy?
- Responsible Nanotechnology Report Issued
- Reminder about WFS Seminar & Conference
- Feature Essay: Molecular Manufacturing vs. Tiny Nanobots
- CRN Needs Your Help!
==========
As usual, things are happening fast at CRN. We'll recap most of the highlights here—but to keep up with us on a daily basis, be sure to check our Responsible Nanotechnology weblog at CRNano.typepad.com/
CRN goes to Minnesota
Last week, CRN Director of Research Chris Phoenix, made a presentation at a [unique new conference] sponsored by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). His talk, "Molecular Manufacturing: Beyond Nanomanufacturing," was based on a 50-page paper (see below) prepared especially for this event.
As far as we know, this is the first meeting ever presented by and for the manufacturing sector to focus specifically on what they can expect from advanced nanotechnology. The one-day conference, called "Molecular Nanotechnology and Manufacturing: The Enabling Tools and Applications," took place May 4 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
www.sme.org/cgi-bin/get-event.pl
Moving Closer to a Manufacturing Revolution
Nanotechnology's long-expected transformation of manufacturing has just moved closer to reality. A [new analysis] of existing technological capabilities, including proposed steps from today's nanotech to advanced molecular machine systems, has been released by CRN.
The study, "Molecular Manufacturing: What, Why and How," which was conducted by CRN Director of Research Chris Phoenix, shows how existing technologies can be coordinated toward a reachable goal of general-purpose molecular manufacturing. Results are available online at Wise-Nano.org.
Chris describes two approaches for building the initial basic tools with current technology. Other sections outline incremental improvement from those early tools toward the first integrated nanofactory, and analyze a scalable architecture for a more advanced nanofactory. Product performance and likely applications are discussed, as well as incentives for corporate or government investment in the technology. Finally, considerations and recommendations for a targeted development program are presented.
wise-nano.org/w/Doing_MM
War, Interdependence, and Nanotechnology
From the dawn of the nuclear age until the present day, we have relied on two mechanisms to protect us from World War III: the doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD), and the growing interdependence of nations. In the very near future, we may not be able to count on these controls. The tenuous balance of MAD and the worldwide network of commercial trade are both threatened by the rise of advanced nanotechnology.
"War, Interdependence, and Nanotechnology" is the title of a [new essay] from CRN Executive Director Mike Treder, published recently by Future Brief. The essay ends with a warning that the disruptive and destabilizing implications of advanced nanotechnology must not be underestimated. This is balanced, however, with recommendation for studies that may allow many of the near miraculous benefits to be realized without the worst-case disasters occurring.
www.futurebrief.com/miketrederwar002.asp
Nanotechnology Research Discrepancy?
An important editorial in the [current issue] of The New Atlantis describes what they see as a "discrepancy between what Congress expects (from nanotechnology research) and what federal funds in fact support."
In reviewing the activities of a National Research Council committee tasked to evaluate the [goals and progress] of the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative, the editorial says...
It is our hope that the committee will offer a clear analysis of the technical potential of molecular manufacturing, and a clear recommendation on whether federal nanotechnology funds should be allocated toward theoretical and practical research into molecular manufacturing.
[CRN believes] that any serious, unbiased investigation into the steps required to move from today's nanoscale technologies to exponential general-purpose molecular manufacturing will conclude that the matter raises serious implications, and that actions heretofore ignored should be undertaken with urgency. By that, we mean a well-funded, dedicated program of inquiry something like our [Thirty Essential Studies].
We hope the NRC committee will agree, and that their recommendation will spur similar—or, better yet, coordinated—actions from other major governmental and civil society organizations around the world.
www.thenewatlantis.com/archive/8/la.htm
www.crnano.org/us-policy.htm
crnano.typepad.com/crnblog/...ch_f.html
www.crnano.org/studies.htm
Responsible Nanotechnology Report Issued
CRN's quarterly Responsible Nanotechnology Report has been delivered to members of the [C-R-Network]. Interested parties from 19 nations on six different continents received the report. Some of the countries include: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, India, Iran, Ireland, Nigeria, Russian Federation, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and others, including the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
If you would like to receive our quarterly report—in print, via email, or both—just sign up for the [C-R-Network]. It's free, and we welcome everyone's participation.
www.crnano.org/contact.htm#Network
Reminder about WFS Seminar & Conference
In connection with their hugely popular annual conference, the World Future Society has announced "an exploration series designed to provide an outline of several critical new fields with the potential for significant impact on the social, economic, and cultural fabric of modern society." For this year, they have organized a [Symposium on Nanotechnology], which CRN’s Mike Treder will assist in presenting. It’s happening in Chicago on July 29, 2005. Hope to see you there!
www.crnano.org/Symposiumo...hicago_.pdf
Feature Essay: Molecular Manufacturing vs. Tiny Nanobots
Chris Phoenix, Director of Research, Center for Responsible Nanotechnology
A few days ago, a high-ranking official of the National Nanotechnology Initiative told me that statements against "nanobots" on their website had been intended to argue against three-nanometer devices that could build anything.
This is frustrating, because no one has ever seriously proposed such devices.
A three-nanometer cube would contain a few thousand atoms. This is about the right size for a single component, such as a switch or gear. No one has suggested building an entire robot in such a tiny volume. Even ribosomes, the protein-constructing machinery of cells, are more like 30 nanometers. A mechanical molecular fabrication system might be closer to 100 or 200 nanometers. That's still small enough to be built molecule-by-molecule in a few seconds, but large enough to contain thousands or millions of components.
Nanosystems a few hundred nanometers in size are convenient for several other reasons. They are small enough to be built error-free, and remain error-free for months or years despite background radiation. They are large enough to be handled mechanically with high efficiency and speed. They are smaller than a human cell. They are large enough to contain a complete CPU or other useful package of equipment. So it seems likely that designs for molecular manufacturing products and nanofactories will be based on components of this size.
So much for size. Let's look at the other half of that strawman, the part about "could build anything." There has been a persistent idea that molecular manufacturing proposes, and depends on, devices that can build any desired molecule. In fact, such devices have never been proposed. The idea probably comes from a misinterpretation of a section heading in Drexler's early book Engines of Creation.
The [section in question] talked about designing and building a variety of special-purpose devices to build special molecular structures: "Able to tolerate acid or vacuum, freezing or baking, depending on design, enzyme-like second-generation machines will be able to use as 'tools' almost any of the reactive molecules used by chemists - but they will wield them with the precision of programmed machines. They will be able to bond atoms together in virtually any stable pattern, adding a few at a time to the surface of a workpiece until a complex structure is complete. Think of such nanomachines as assemblers."
foresight.org/EOC/EOC_Cha...ection06of10
Unfortunately, the section was titled "Universal Assemblers." This was misread as referring to a single "universal" assembler, rather than a collective capability of a large number of special-purpose machines. But there is not, and never was, any proposal for a single universal assembler. The phrase has always been plural.
The development of molecular manufacturing theory has in fact moved in the opposite direction. Instead of planning for systems that can do a very broad range of molecular fabrication, the latest designs aim to do just a few reactions. This will make it easier to develop the reactions and analyze the resulting structures.
Another persistent but incorrect idea that has attached itself to molecular manufacturing is the concept of "disassemblers." According to popular belief, tiny nanomachines will be able to take apart anything and turn it into raw materials. In fact, disassemblers, as [described in Engines,] have a far more mundane purpose: "Assemblers will help engineers synthesize things; their relatives, disassemblers, will help scientists and engineers analyze things." In other words, disassemblers are a research tool, not a source of feedstock.
foresight.org/EOC/EOC_Cha...ection09of10
Without universal assemblers and disassemblers, molecular manufacturing is actually pretty simple. Manufacturing systems built on a 100-nanometer scale would convert simple molecular feedstock into machine parts with fairly simple molecular structure—but, just as simple bricks can be used to build a wide variety of buildings, the simple molecular structure could serve as a backbone for rather intricate shapes. The manufacturing systems as well as their products would be built out of modules a few hundred nanometers in size. These modules would be fastened together to make large systems.
As I explained in my recent fifty-page paper, ["Molecular Manufacturing: What, Why, and How,"] recent advances in theory have shown that a planar layout for a nanofactory system can be scaled to any size, producing about a kilogram per square meter per hour. Since the factory would weigh about a kilogram per square meter, and could build a larger factory by extruding it edgewise, manufacturing capacity can be doubled and redoubled as often as desired. The implications of non-scarce and portable manufacturing capacity, as well as the high performance, rapid fabrication, and low cost of the products, are far beyond the scope of this essay. In fact, studying and preparing for these implications is the reason that CRN exists.
wise-nano.org/w/Doing_MM
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CRN NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Since our founding two years ago, the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology has accomplished a great deal. We have published research papers, spoken at conferences, sent out press releases, and created a sizable presence on the web.
As a result of these efforts, we have seen a considerable increase in awareness of the implications of advanced nanotechnology. This is vital work that few others are doing, despite its critical importance.
Unfortunately, we're near the end of our current funding stream and virtually operating out of our own pockets. Unless we can quickly raise the funds necessary to support our growth, CRN's work will be severely hindered.
If we are to continue, we need to aggressively seek other sources of funding, and that includes contributions from committed individuals such as yourself.
Please consider making a generous contribution to CRN. Your check, in any amount, will make a real difference in helping us to build this organization and continue to inspire meaningful dialogue about our future in a world where molecular manufacturing is a reality.
To make a tax-deductible contribution, please go to our website (CRNano.org) and click on the "Donate to CRN" button.
OR…you can mail a check, made out to "CRN/World Care," addressed to:
CRN/World Care
P.O. Box 64001
Tucson, AZ 85728
CRN is a program of World Care, an international, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization.
Many thanks in advance for all the help you can give. Please feel free to contact us at info@CRNano.org if you have any questions.
We sincerely appreciate the people who already have donated. You are truly making the world a better and safer place.
Mike Treder
Executive Director
Center for Responsible Nanotechnology
CRNano.org
CRNano.typepad.com
CONTENTS:
- CRN goes to Minnesota
- Moving Closer to a Manufacturing Revolution
- War, Interdependence, and Nanotechnology
- Nanotechnology Research Discrepancy?
- Responsible Nanotechnology Report Issued
- Reminder about WFS Seminar & Conference
- Feature Essay: Molecular Manufacturing vs. Tiny Nanobots
- CRN Needs Your Help!
==========
As usual, things are happening fast at CRN. We'll recap most of the highlights here—but to keep up with us on a daily basis, be sure to check our Responsible Nanotechnology weblog at CRNano.typepad.com/
CRN goes to Minnesota
Last week, CRN Director of Research Chris Phoenix, made a presentation at a [unique new conference] sponsored by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). His talk, "Molecular Manufacturing: Beyond Nanomanufacturing," was based on a 50-page paper (see below) prepared especially for this event.
As far as we know, this is the first meeting ever presented by and for the manufacturing sector to focus specifically on what they can expect from advanced nanotechnology. The one-day conference, called "Molecular Nanotechnology and Manufacturing: The Enabling Tools and Applications," took place May 4 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
www.sme.org/cgi-bin/get-event.pl
Moving Closer to a Manufacturing Revolution
Nanotechnology's long-expected transformation of manufacturing has just moved closer to reality. A [new analysis] of existing technological capabilities, including proposed steps from today's nanotech to advanced molecular machine systems, has been released by CRN.
The study, "Molecular Manufacturing: What, Why and How," which was conducted by CRN Director of Research Chris Phoenix, shows how existing technologies can be coordinated toward a reachable goal of general-purpose molecular manufacturing. Results are available online at Wise-Nano.org.
Chris describes two approaches for building the initial basic tools with current technology. Other sections outline incremental improvement from those early tools toward the first integrated nanofactory, and analyze a scalable architecture for a more advanced nanofactory. Product performance and likely applications are discussed, as well as incentives for corporate or government investment in the technology. Finally, considerations and recommendations for a targeted development program are presented.
wise-nano.org/w/Doing_MM
War, Interdependence, and Nanotechnology
From the dawn of the nuclear age until the present day, we have relied on two mechanisms to protect us from World War III: the doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD), and the growing interdependence of nations. In the very near future, we may not be able to count on these controls. The tenuous balance of MAD and the worldwide network of commercial trade are both threatened by the rise of advanced nanotechnology.
"War, Interdependence, and Nanotechnology" is the title of a [new essay] from CRN Executive Director Mike Treder, published recently by Future Brief. The essay ends with a warning that the disruptive and destabilizing implications of advanced nanotechnology must not be underestimated. This is balanced, however, with recommendation for studies that may allow many of the near miraculous benefits to be realized without the worst-case disasters occurring.
www.futurebrief.com/miketrederwar002.asp
Nanotechnology Research Discrepancy?
An important editorial in the [current issue] of The New Atlantis describes what they see as a "discrepancy between what Congress expects (from nanotechnology research) and what federal funds in fact support."
In reviewing the activities of a National Research Council committee tasked to evaluate the [goals and progress] of the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative, the editorial says...
It is our hope that the committee will offer a clear analysis of the technical potential of molecular manufacturing, and a clear recommendation on whether federal nanotechnology funds should be allocated toward theoretical and practical research into molecular manufacturing.
[CRN believes] that any serious, unbiased investigation into the steps required to move from today's nanoscale technologies to exponential general-purpose molecular manufacturing will conclude that the matter raises serious implications, and that actions heretofore ignored should be undertaken with urgency. By that, we mean a well-funded, dedicated program of inquiry something like our [Thirty Essential Studies].
We hope the NRC committee will agree, and that their recommendation will spur similar—or, better yet, coordinated—actions from other major governmental and civil society organizations around the world.
www.thenewatlantis.com/archive/8/la.htm
www.crnano.org/us-policy.htm
crnano.typepad.com/crnblog/...ch_f.html
www.crnano.org/studies.htm
Responsible Nanotechnology Report Issued
CRN's quarterly Responsible Nanotechnology Report has been delivered to members of the [C-R-Network]. Interested parties from 19 nations on six different continents received the report. Some of the countries include: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, India, Iran, Ireland, Nigeria, Russian Federation, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and others, including the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
If you would like to receive our quarterly report—in print, via email, or both—just sign up for the [C-R-Network]. It's free, and we welcome everyone's participation.
www.crnano.org/contact.htm#Network
Reminder about WFS Seminar & Conference
In connection with their hugely popular annual conference, the World Future Society has announced "an exploration series designed to provide an outline of several critical new fields with the potential for significant impact on the social, economic, and cultural fabric of modern society." For this year, they have organized a [Symposium on Nanotechnology], which CRN’s Mike Treder will assist in presenting. It’s happening in Chicago on July 29, 2005. Hope to see you there!
www.crnano.org/Symposiumo...hicago_.pdf
Feature Essay: Molecular Manufacturing vs. Tiny Nanobots
Chris Phoenix, Director of Research, Center for Responsible Nanotechnology
A few days ago, a high-ranking official of the National Nanotechnology Initiative told me that statements against "nanobots" on their website had been intended to argue against three-nanometer devices that could build anything.
This is frustrating, because no one has ever seriously proposed such devices.
A three-nanometer cube would contain a few thousand atoms. This is about the right size for a single component, such as a switch or gear. No one has suggested building an entire robot in such a tiny volume. Even ribosomes, the protein-constructing machinery of cells, are more like 30 nanometers. A mechanical molecular fabrication system might be closer to 100 or 200 nanometers. That's still small enough to be built molecule-by-molecule in a few seconds, but large enough to contain thousands or millions of components.
Nanosystems a few hundred nanometers in size are convenient for several other reasons. They are small enough to be built error-free, and remain error-free for months or years despite background radiation. They are large enough to be handled mechanically with high efficiency and speed. They are smaller than a human cell. They are large enough to contain a complete CPU or other useful package of equipment. So it seems likely that designs for molecular manufacturing products and nanofactories will be based on components of this size.
So much for size. Let's look at the other half of that strawman, the part about "could build anything." There has been a persistent idea that molecular manufacturing proposes, and depends on, devices that can build any desired molecule. In fact, such devices have never been proposed. The idea probably comes from a misinterpretation of a section heading in Drexler's early book Engines of Creation.
The [section in question] talked about designing and building a variety of special-purpose devices to build special molecular structures: "Able to tolerate acid or vacuum, freezing or baking, depending on design, enzyme-like second-generation machines will be able to use as 'tools' almost any of the reactive molecules used by chemists - but they will wield them with the precision of programmed machines. They will be able to bond atoms together in virtually any stable pattern, adding a few at a time to the surface of a workpiece until a complex structure is complete. Think of such nanomachines as assemblers."
foresight.org/EOC/EOC_Cha...ection06of10
Unfortunately, the section was titled "Universal Assemblers." This was misread as referring to a single "universal" assembler, rather than a collective capability of a large number of special-purpose machines. But there is not, and never was, any proposal for a single universal assembler. The phrase has always been plural.
The development of molecular manufacturing theory has in fact moved in the opposite direction. Instead of planning for systems that can do a very broad range of molecular fabrication, the latest designs aim to do just a few reactions. This will make it easier to develop the reactions and analyze the resulting structures.
Another persistent but incorrect idea that has attached itself to molecular manufacturing is the concept of "disassemblers." According to popular belief, tiny nanomachines will be able to take apart anything and turn it into raw materials. In fact, disassemblers, as [described in Engines,] have a far more mundane purpose: "Assemblers will help engineers synthesize things; their relatives, disassemblers, will help scientists and engineers analyze things." In other words, disassemblers are a research tool, not a source of feedstock.
foresight.org/EOC/EOC_Cha...ection09of10
Without universal assemblers and disassemblers, molecular manufacturing is actually pretty simple. Manufacturing systems built on a 100-nanometer scale would convert simple molecular feedstock into machine parts with fairly simple molecular structure—but, just as simple bricks can be used to build a wide variety of buildings, the simple molecular structure could serve as a backbone for rather intricate shapes. The manufacturing systems as well as their products would be built out of modules a few hundred nanometers in size. These modules would be fastened together to make large systems.
As I explained in my recent fifty-page paper, ["Molecular Manufacturing: What, Why, and How,"] recent advances in theory have shown that a planar layout for a nanofactory system can be scaled to any size, producing about a kilogram per square meter per hour. Since the factory would weigh about a kilogram per square meter, and could build a larger factory by extruding it edgewise, manufacturing capacity can be doubled and redoubled as often as desired. The implications of non-scarce and portable manufacturing capacity, as well as the high performance, rapid fabrication, and low cost of the products, are far beyond the scope of this essay. In fact, studying and preparing for these implications is the reason that CRN exists.
wise-nano.org/w/Doing_MM
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CRN NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Since our founding two years ago, the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology has accomplished a great deal. We have published research papers, spoken at conferences, sent out press releases, and created a sizable presence on the web.
As a result of these efforts, we have seen a considerable increase in awareness of the implications of advanced nanotechnology. This is vital work that few others are doing, despite its critical importance.
Unfortunately, we're near the end of our current funding stream and virtually operating out of our own pockets. Unless we can quickly raise the funds necessary to support our growth, CRN's work will be severely hindered.
If we are to continue, we need to aggressively seek other sources of funding, and that includes contributions from committed individuals such as yourself.
Please consider making a generous contribution to CRN. Your check, in any amount, will make a real difference in helping us to build this organization and continue to inspire meaningful dialogue about our future in a world where molecular manufacturing is a reality.
To make a tax-deductible contribution, please go to our website (CRNano.org) and click on the "Donate to CRN" button.
OR…you can mail a check, made out to "CRN/World Care," addressed to:
CRN/World Care
P.O. Box 64001
Tucson, AZ 85728
CRN is a program of World Care, an international, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization.
Many thanks in advance for all the help you can give. Please feel free to contact us at info@CRNano.org if you have any questions.
We sincerely appreciate the people who already have donated. You are truly making the world a better and safer place.
Mike Treder
Executive Director
Center for Responsible Nanotechnology
CRNano.org
CRNano.typepad.com
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