From: Martin Ling (martin@nodezero.org.uk)
Date: Tue Jun 13 2000 - 07:31:56 MDT
I was considering the requirements in complexity (and hence, size) of
self-reproducing nanobots. Looking at the systems involved;
- fuel accumulation and use
- movement
- identification of raw materials
- manipulation of raw materials
- knowledge of complete structure
- algorithms for construction
I realise that these are going to be extremely large structures by nano
terms, consisting of millions of atoms. We've become used to thinking
'nanotech... right, atomic scale, tiny', but there isn't an infinite
separation between atomic scale and conventional. Anything as
sophisticated as a self-reproducing nanobot is probably going to be
comparable to some bacteria, and will quite likely (by my brief mental
educated-guestimates) be visible via optical magnification.
Martin
-- -----[ Martin J. Ling ]-----[ http://www.nodezero.org.uk ]-----
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