What is the difference between molecular nanotechnology (MNT) and molecular self-assembly?
Another difference is that self-assembly has to take place in some solvent so that the molecules can float around randomly. This increases drag, slowing the process. Molecular manufacturing should be able to do some if not all of its operations in gas or even vacuum, allowing the process to work faster. Chris Phoenix Director of Research, the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology At the present time, no self-duplicating chemical-building molecular machine has been designed in detail. However, given the range of options, it seems likely that a single research group could tackle this problem and build at least a partial proof of concept device-perhaps one that can do only limited chemistry, or a limited range of shapes, but is demonstrably programmable. Subsequent milestones would include: • Not relying on flushing sequences of chemicals past the machine • Machines capable of general-purpose manufacturing • Structures that allow several machines to cooperate in building large products •
