2008-03-23

= Chasis / framework / platform =
Let's say 10-by-10 feet or there-abouts. 2D platform. 

assuming solar power as the primary energy source, we will need more than that for the collector if we want to do sintering of large ceramic pieces or lots of electricity (solar steam or stirling)   
  
= Behavior =   
although one machine can do everything on its own, they will be more productive in groups, each adapting to run one single process in a continuous manner, trading products and refined materials. movement happens mainly to reduce population pressure and when resources become scarce.

= Problems =
how to make electricity without the use of permanent magnets or iron? electricity is needed for electrolysis (and communication/control)
*'''magnetohydrodynamics''' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MHD_generator]
**sodium vapor plasma
*piezoelectricity
*ferroelectricity
*static electricity (pooh)
*'''amtec''' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkali-metal_thermal_to_electric_converter]
*thermionic converter
*photoelectric effect
*zinc-air fuel cell
*field coil alternator (like in a car, requires a battery)


= Mechanical arm / manipulator =
actuators take a supply of power and turn it into controlled motion:   
*rotary actuators   
#electric motors   
##commutated field coil   
##switched reluctance (requires iron)   
##permanent magnets (requires other rare elements)   
##homopolar motor (extremely poor efficiency)   
##piezo ceramic motors [http://www.newscaletech.com/squiggle_overview.html]   
#compressed air motors   
#steam motors   
 
*linear actuators   
#piezo inchworm linear stepper[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inchworm_motor]   
#hydraulic cylinders   
#pneumatic cylinders   
#air muscles   
#fluid muscles

= Resources =
* direct sunlight
* clay (aluminum magnesium silicate)
* sand (silica)
* salt (sodium chloride)

= refined materials and their uses =
*concentrated sunlight
**moderate temperatures
***phase changes
****electricity
***mineral drying
***brazing, soldering
**extremely high temperatures
***chemical decomposition
****aerogels (requires silicone)
*****ultra high purity glass
***sputtering
***welding

*raw ceramic (AlMgSiO4)
**circuit board
**low toughness mechanics
**medium temperature refractory

*alumina ceramic (Al2O3)
**high temperature refractory
***glass molds and tooling
***aluminum extrusion molds
**high hardness high strength mechanics
***bearings
**abrasives, cutting tools(?)

*hydrogen gas (requires: water, salt, electricity)
*chlorine gas (requires: salt, electricity)
*hydrochloric acid (requires: hydrogen gas, chlorine gas, water)
* aluminum (requires hydrochloric acid, clay)
**http://openfarmtech.org/index.php?title=Aluminum_Extraction_From_Clays
**wiring, circuit board cladding
**foil
***gas storage bags
***shims
**electrolysis electrodes? (will aluminum degrade faster than we can make it?)
** mirrors
**vacuum tube getter

*chlorosilanes (requires: hydrochloric acid, silicon)
**solvents

*sodium silicate 
**concrete
**temporary molds

* silicone rubber and silicone grease (requires: chlorosilanes, water, carbon?)
** electrical insulation
** gaskets
** seals (silicone has high gas permeability)
** lubrication
**springs
** [[QTC pills|QTC switches]] (requires nickel)
**mold release, mold preparation

*bulk glass
**mirrors
**low-grade mechanics
**reaction chambers, pipes
**vacuum tubes
**instrument springs?

*fiber glass
**thermal insulation
**paper - lightly sintered, stiff but not brittle
***circuit boards
**lumber - pultruded sintered bundles
**rope, string
***cloth
****electrical insulation
****intermediate composite (requires: silicone resin)

*ultrapure silicon (requires: chlorosilanes)

(requires carbon)**high temperature ceramic (SiC)}}