NanoFactories: Everyone needs to read this

[SpyderEdgeForever]

http://lifeboat.com/ex/corporate.cornucopia" target="_blank

http://wise-nano.org/w/Doing_MM" target="_blank


This technology will change the entire civilization in ways we can not fully grasp at this time. It may sound shocking and science-fictional but this is 100 percent realistic based on known scientific/physical/chemical laws. Example:

1 Molecules can be made into machine parts.
2 Molecular machines can perform useful work.

These two facts are the fundamental basis of all biological molecular mechanisms, including DNA and ribosomes which are at work inside our bodies right this very moment producing protein strands.

Humans have already assembled crude molecular machines, and the complexity level is increasing.

Here is an idea for knives:

" Picture a product as a thin shell, where the shell is composed of two layers of nanoblocks. The shell is stiffened by holding high-pressure fluid in small cells within the shell. High-pressure water could be used safely, and would also improve fire resistance for organic constructions. Manufacture the product in its "folded" state, and then inject water to unfold it. (The water would not fill the product, but just stiffen the hollow shell.) For comparison, a 200-lb inflatable plane was built in the 1950's.

Creases and curves might be a problem. How can rectilinear cubes form a curved surface? How can a sharply folded surface unfold without breaking the nanoblocks? (Even 200-nm thick diamond won't be that flexible.) Tom Craver's suggestion (on CRN's blog) of running strings between wedge-shaped blocks may be useful here. (Blocks can be built to deform after manufacture.)

Watertight or airtight seals between the blocks might also be an issue. Graphite flaps, or bumpers as suggested in the Vasculoid paper, will probably do the trick, but this should be verified. "

Now, if you could construct diamondoid molecular structures that are inflatable, you can have something that is the size of say, a ball point pen, but inflates and unfolds, and locks to form a solid knife or sword, with molecular chainsaw edges that would shear through nearly anything. There is something for Spyderco design engineers to whet their appetites =)