Molecular machines are nano-scale assemblers that construct themselves and their surroundings into ever more complex structures. Sometimes dubbed "nanotech" in the media, these devices are promising but also widely misunderstood. Here's what separates the science fact from science fiction.
The concepts that underpin this form of nanotechnology have certainly had long enough to percolate through modern science. Richard Feynman first speculated about the idea of "synthesis via direct manipulation of atoms" during a talk called There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom. Looking back, that sparked much of the subsequent thinking about treating atoms and molecules more and more like simple building blocks.
Perhaps most famously, K. Eric Drexler considered the idea of taking the bottom-up manufacturing approach to its atomic extreme in his 1986 book Engines of Creation: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology. There, he posited the idea of a nan-oscale "assembler" that could scuttle around, building copies of itself or other molecular sized objects with atomic control; one which might in turn be able to create larger and more complex structures. A kind of microscopic production line, building products from the most basic ingredients of all. Coming when it did, in the mid-eighties, it felt very much like science fiction.
So much so, in fact, that even Drexler acknowledged that it was prudent to tread carefully in a nano-scale building site. "Imagine such a replicator floating in a bottle of chemicals, making copies of itself," he explains in Engines of Creation. "The first replicator assembles a copy in one thousand seconds, the two replicators then build two more in the next thousand seconds, the four build another four, and the eight build another eight. At the end of ten hours, there are not thirty-six new replicators, but over 68 billion. In less than a day, they would weigh a ton; in less than two days, they would outweigh the Earth; in another four hours, they would exceed the mass of the Sun and all the planets combinedif the bottle of chemicals hadn't run dry long before."
That ruthless efficiency could, Drexler argued, make some nano-robots "superior" to naturally occurring organic beings, at least in an evolutionary sensethough, crucially, not necessarily as valuable. Indeed, he suggested that omnivorous bacteria could out-compete real bacteria, reducing the biosphere to dustor 'grey goo'in a matter of days. That hypothetical end-of-the-world scenario, where nanobots turn our world and us into an amorphous sludge, was as tempting to skeptics as the promise of nanotechnology was to scientists. Still, almost thirty years on we're still here and, while some of us may be a little more ashen of face, we're yet to be submerged in the biological by-product of engineered molecular machines.
Truth is that scientists have been very busy indeed over those past thirty years, creating a host of molecular-sized structures that can manipulate and assemble themselves, move, and even work together. It's not always easy, of coursebuilding at the molecular levels requires atomic accuracybut mercifully chemistry and physics has advanced to a point where it's increasingly possible. And there's a rich pool of molecular machines, some inspired by nature, others by mechanical engineering principles, to show for it.
The majority of successes have been built from DNA molecules. Here, DNA isn't being used to carry genetic information; rather, it's a structural material in its own right. Its four basesadenine, cytosine, guanine and thyminebind more or less strongly to one another depending on how they're paired up along the length of a DNA double helix, allowing scientists to tweak the way in which they join together. "We can direct the associations of molecules through Watson-Crick base pairing. Intermolecular interactions using sticky ends have a well-defined geometry," explains Professor Ned Seeman, a nanotechnologist in the Department of Chemistry at New York University, who's widely regarded as inventing the field of DNA nanotechnology. "DNA is like Lego."
The fundamental building blocks of life already have the features required to fold, join, build and growso they're perfectly suited to building things at the nano-scale. By creating strands of DNA with carefully controlled base sequences, the binding can be specifically tailored so that customized strands can be combined to bind with each other and construct exotic structures. Geometries are first modelled on computers to work out what molecules are required, then the appropriate can be DNA synthesised in order that they can be put togetherjust like a Lego kit.
Here is the original post:
What Will the Future of Molecular Manufacturing Really Be Like?
- Micro Manufacturing [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Modeling and Simulation [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Electron Microscopy [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Metrology [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Calibration Services [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Micro Engineering [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Nanotechnology [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Creating nano-structures from the bottom up [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- Wichita State hands out new round of high-tech grants [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- URI Engineering Student Develops Self Healing Concrete - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- NYS Senator Joseph A. Griffo Visits Clarkson University Nanoengineering [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- Nano-subs built to grab and move oil spills [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- Video: N.Y. lab creating jobs with nano-technology [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- Nano-Subs Grab and Move Oil Spills [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- University of Toronto Engineering Welcomes New NSERC Chair in Multidisciplinary Design [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- Nano-Sensors for Explosive Detection -- University Collaboration Addresses Challenges in Explosive Detection [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2012]
- Obama, Cuomo touring Nano college [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2012]
- Obama, Cuomo bond over vision of economic future [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2012]
- Kids visit Nano College after Obama [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2012]
- Zyvex Technologies and ENVE Composites Introduce the World's First Nano-Enhanced Carbon Fiber ... [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2012]
- Listen Now [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2012]
- To Czech Industry, Everything Is Nano [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2012]
- Availability of hydrogen controls chemical structure of graphene oxide [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2012]
- Hydrogen Controls Chemical Structure of Graphene Oxide [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2012]
- Shocking Technologies Raises Additional $10.5 Million From Circuit Protection Leader Littelfuse [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2012]
- Nano-structured polymer-based materials from scrap [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2012]
- Journal Tips from the American Institute of Physics: May 24, 2012 [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2012]
- Synthetic nano-waste does not disappear [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2012]
- Attacks on Nuclear and Nano Science [Last Updated On: May 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 29th, 2012]
- Graphene quantum dots and nano-ribbons cleaved from graphene sheets [Last Updated On: May 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2012]
- Girls Inc.and SEFCU to provide internships at Nano College [Last Updated On: May 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2012]
- Nano technology improves health field [Last Updated On: June 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 2nd, 2012]
- Tiny satellites will use Kinect to dock with one another [Last Updated On: June 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 4th, 2012]
- New nano-research leads to sensors that detect contaminants in water [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2012]
- Editorial: State sets example on economy, bipartisanship [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2012]
- MP girl ‘Gargi Pare’ brings laurels to State [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2012]
- Element Six and Harvard University Collaboration on Nano-Engineered Synthetic Diamond Sets a New Quantum Information ... [Last Updated On: June 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2012]
- Business at a glance [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2012]
- Inter American University of Puerto Rico Chooses Nanoprofessor as Foundation for New Nanoscience Education Program [Last Updated On: June 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 11th, 2012]
- Nanoparticles found in moon glass bubbles explain weird lunar soil behaviour [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2012]
- Nanoparticles found in moon glass bubbles explain weird lunar soil behavior [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2012]
- Nanoparticles can solve mystery of Moon's topsoil [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2012]
- Nano-Technologies Extended to Coax [Last Updated On: June 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2012]
- Shocking Technologies Raises Additional $10.5M From Circuit Protection Leader Littelfuse [Last Updated On: June 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2012]
- NIT-T professor gets over Rs. 2.15 crore to stall erosion in pipes [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2012]
- Northeastern University Nanomanufacturing Center Director Ahmed Busnaina to Present Webinar on “The Democratization of ... [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2012]
- NIT Silchar convocation [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2012]
- Research and Markets: Government Initiative and High R&D Activities Drive the Nanotechnology Market in India [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2012]
- Scientist unlocks the quantum secrets of the moon's bizarre soil, which hangs suspended above the surface when touched [Last Updated On: June 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 20th, 2012]
- Nano-infused paint can detect strain [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2012]
- "Proceedings of the IEEE" Hosts Centennial Engineering Innovation Forum in DC to Unveil Advanced Technologies ... [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2012]
- Nanotech paint can show stress and strain [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2012]
- Tatas developing an under $ 20,000 electric car [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2012]
- Now, nano-infused paint to detect strain in buildings, bridges and airplanes [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2012]
- Nano-sandwich technique slims down solar cells, improves efficiency [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2012]
- Team develops world's most powerful nanoscale microwave oscillators [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2012]
- UCLA-led research team develops world's most powerful nanoscale microwave oscillators [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2012]
- Research and Markets: MEMS, NANO and Smart Systems - Selected papers from the 2011 7th International Conference on ... [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2012]
- A step toward minute factories that produce medicine inside the body [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2012]
- Green feel for collaboration with China [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2012]
- Fibrous Protein Nanocomposites Conference [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2012]
- Going For Gold: The Brains Behind Team GB [Last Updated On: July 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 4th, 2012]
- NANO Connect Offers International Perspective With South Korean Nanotechnology Education Leader [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2012]
- Hardide appoints a Business Development Manager [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2012]
- Regenerative Medicine Biotech Company, Eqalix, Names Scientific Advisory Board [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2012]
- Quinn uses nanotechnology summit to praise Wheeling High School [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2012]
- Cal Poly Licenses CubeSat Technology to Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2012]
- Improving nanometer-scale manufacturing with infrared spectroscopy [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2012]
- KYOCERA Introduces New Milling Cutters For CNC Machining Featuring Inserts with Proprietary MEGACOAT NANO Technology [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2012]
- iFixit opens up the new iPod nano [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2012]
- Call to assess safety of nano particles [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2012]
- Special Program at SPE ANTEC® Mumbai Will Focus on Nano-Scale Carbonaceous Materials [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2012]
- NUS launches Aerospace Systems initiative for engineering students [Last Updated On: October 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2012]
- Life After MESA - University of California, San Diego - Video [Last Updated On: October 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2012]
- Toulouse, capitale européenne des nanotechnologies du 16 au 20 septembre 2012. - Video [Last Updated On: October 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2012]
- Techno Frühstück - Correspondence of Heart and Beat - Video [Last Updated On: October 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2012]
- CVTC Engineering Programs Commercial - Video [Last Updated On: October 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2012]
- DISSECTED FROG - BIOLOGY LAB FOR NANO ENGINEERING - Video [Last Updated On: October 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2012]
- Renault looking to build an upmarket rival to the Tata Nano, but it will still be very cheap [Last Updated On: December 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 5th, 2012]
- 'Nano' opens at Discovery Museums [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2012]