Nanotechnology Now

• About Us
  
  • Advertising
  • Our Mission
  • Our Team
  • Comments
  • Friends
  • Contact
• Nanotechnology
• News
  
  • Current News
  • Press Releases
  • Submit Press
  • Press kit
  • Interviews
• Columns
• Products
  
  • Our Products
  • Books
  • Featured Books
• Directories
  
  • Companies/Academic
  • Events
  • Glossary
  • Best Of
• Career Center
• Nano-Social Network
• Nano Consulting
• My Account

Home > News > Nanoassemblers: A Likely Threat?

June 25th, 2007

Nanoassemblers: A Likely Threat?

Abstract:
In his popular book Engines of Creation, author and innovator, Eric Drexler, proposed the concept of a nanoassembler, a tiny robot equipped with the ability to construct with the aid of many others, useful objects by identifying raw materials at the atomic, molecular or, at least, the nanometer scale, then assembling these tiny constituents into a complex structure. The nanoassembler would also have the ability to reproduce itself in anticipation of a given task, then, presumably, disassemble those nanoassemblers no longer needed, harvesting the raw materials for subsequent projects. Several individuals (including Drexler himself) have expressed concern about the prospect of the dust-particle- sized nanoassemblers replicating themselves uncontrollably, leading to large parts of the earth's surface being covered in a blanket of nanoassembler-dust, a material christened "gray goo" by Drexler. A great deal of concern has been expressed regarding personal and environmental risk posed by technological developments in nanotechnology. The threat posed by the possible development of nanoassemblers depends, of course, on the range of capabilities that such nanoassemblers could possess.

Source:
nanolabweb.com

Bookmark:

Related News Press

Possible Futures

Lifeboat publishes its first book: The Lifeboat Foundation has published its first book, "The Human Race to the Future: What Could Happen -- and What to Do" May 14th, 2013

UC Santa Barbara History Professor's Book Elucidates, Celebrates ‘Visioneers' May 14th, 2013

Conceptual Nanomedical Lipofuscin Removal Strategy April 29th, 2013

The Global Desalination Market 2013-2023 April 24th, 2013

Molecular Machines

Conceptual Nanomedical Lipofuscin Removal Strategy April 29th, 2013

A giant step toward miniaturization: Nanotechnology transforms molecular beams into functional nano-devices with controlled atomic architectures April 3rd, 2013

ASU Biodesign Institute scientists develop innovative twists to DNA nanotechnology March 21st, 2013

Reversible assembly leads to tiny encrypted messages March 11th, 2013

Molecular Nanotechnology

Graphene joins the race to redefine the ampere May 12th, 2013

Conceptual Nanomedical Lipofuscin Removal Strategy April 29th, 2013

A giant step toward miniaturization: Nanotechnology transforms molecular beams into functional nano-devices with controlled atomic architectures April 3rd, 2013

ASU Biodesign Institute scientists develop innovative twists to DNA nanotechnology March 21st, 2013

Self Assembly

Beautiful "flowers" self-assemble in a beaker: Elaborate nanostructures blossom from a chemical reaction perfected at Harvard May 17th, 2013

DNA-Guided Assembly Yields Novel Ribbon-Like Nanostructures: Approach could be useful in fabricating new kinds of materials with engineered properties May 16th, 2013

Production of Sensitive Hydrogen Peroxide Biosensor Using Silver Nanoparticles April 26th, 2013

Scientists see nanoparticles form larger structures in real time April 22nd, 2013

Interviews/Book Reviews/Essays/Reports/Podcasts/Journals

Moth-Inspired Nanostructures Take the Color Out of Thin Films May 17th, 2013

Add boron for better batteries: Rice University theorists say graphene-boron mix shows promise for lithium-ion batteries May 17th, 2013

DNA-Guided Assembly Yields Novel Ribbon-Like Nanostructures: Approach could be useful in fabricating new kinds of materials with engineered properties May 16th, 2013

Advancements and developments of solid-state nanopores sensors May 16th, 2013