|
New!
Nanotech Scenario Series
Join the
conversation at
CRNtalk!
| |
Current Results of Our Research
These pages, marked with
GREEN headings, are published for
comment and criticism. These
are not our final findings; some of these opinions will probably change.
LOG OF UPDATES
CRN Research: Overview of Current Findings
Thirty Essential Nanotechnology Studies - #5
Overview of all studies: Because of the largely
unexpected transformational power of molecular manufacturing, it is urgent to
understand the issues raised. To date, there has not been anything approaching
an adequate study of these issues. CRN's recommended series of
thirty essential studies
is organized into five sections, covering fundamental theory, possible
technological capabilities, bootstrapping potential, product capabilities, and
policy questions. Several preliminary conclusions are stated, and because our
understanding points to a crisis, a parallel process of conducting the studies
is urged.
CRN is actively looking for researchers interested in
performing or assisting with this work. Please contact CRN Research Director
Chris Phoenix if you would like more information or if you have comments on
the proposed studies.
| Study #5 |
What
is the performance and potential of nucleic acid manufacturing and products? |
| |
Nucleic acids fold
and self-assemble into predictable three-dimensional shapes. Motors and
truss-like structures have already been built. Several families of nucleic
acid polymer are being investigated, including DNA, RNA, and PNA (peptide
nucleic acid). Modifications including polyamide (nylon-like) backbones have
been demonstrated for increased strength. A robotic system based on this
might go beyond self-assembly to active templating or programmable assembly.
This might form the basis for a programmable manufacturing system capable of
building complex products from simple parts. |
| Subquestion |
Can required
nucleic acid sequences be calculated directly from the desired shape of the
resultant parts? |
| Preliminary answer |
This has already
been done, with a bit of human post-processing, for the recent
single-strand
octahedron. |
| Subquestion |
Can a
mechanically actuated system be built to allow for programmable assembly of
simple sequences (reducing the complexity and number of input sequences)? |
| Preliminary answer |
Almost certainly.
The required precision appears feasible. |
| Subquestion |
What would
be the speed and accuracy of such a manufacturing system? |
| Preliminary answer |
Compare with
current accuracy for DNA synthesis and binding in sensors. |
| Subquestion |
What would
be the performance of machines built of nucleic acids, including strength,
power handling, and digital logic? |
| Preliminary answer |
DNA is fairly
weak; PNA is stronger but has less chemistry developed to handle it; DNA
with polyamide backbone has already been demonstrated. The system will also
be limited by packing/conjugation strength unless a cross-linking chemistry
is used. DNA-conjugation actuators are likely to be weak, but other
actuators could probably be integrated. |
| Conclusion |
More research will be needed to tell whether this technology can be
revolutionary, but it looks promising so far.
|
| Other studies |
1.
Is
mechanically guided chemistry a viable basis for a manufacturing technology?
2. To what extent is molecular manufacturing counterintuitive and
underappreciated in a way that causes underestimation of its importance?
3. What is
the performance and potential of diamondoid machine-phase chemical
manufacturing and products?
4. What is the performance and potential of biological programmable
manufacturing and products?
6. What other chemistries and options should be studied?
7. What
applicable sensing, manipulation, and fabrication tools exist?
8. What will be required to develop diamondoid machine-phase chemical
manufacturing and products?
9. What will be required to develop biological programmable
manufacturing and products?
10. What will be required to develop nucleic acid manufacturing and
products?
11. How rapidly will the cost of development decrease?
12. How could an effective development program be structured?
13. What is
the probable capability of the manufacturing system?
14. How capable will the products be?
15. What will the products cost?
16. How rapidly could products be designed?
17. Which
of today's products will the system make more accessible or cheaper?
18. What new products will the system make accessible?
19. What impact will the system have on production and distribution?
20. What effect will molecular manufacturing have on military and
government capability and planning, considering the implications of arms
races and unbalanced development?
21. What effect will this have on macro- and microeconomics?
22. How can proliferation and use of nanofactories and their products
be limited?
23. What effect will this have on policing?
24. What beneficial or desirable effects could this have?
25. What effect could this have on civil rights and liberties?
26. What are the disaster/disruption scenarios?
27. What effect could this have on geopolitics?
28. What policies toward development of molecular manufacturing does
all this suggest?
29. What policies toward administration of
molecular manufacturing does all this suggest?
30. How can appropriate policy be made and implemented?
|
| Studies should begin
immediately. |
The situation is
extremely urgent. The stakes are unprecedented, and the world is unprepared.
The basic findings of these studies should be verified as rapidly as
possible (months, not years). Policy preparation and planning for
implementation, likely including a crash development program, should begin
immediately. |
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE —
Submit your criticism, please!
(Sorry, no one has complained about this page yet, and we
couldn't think of anything to write. Please
contact us
with your questions, criticisms, and other suggestions.)
|
