Nanofactory Animation

A nanofactory is a proposed system in which nanomachines (resembling molecular assemblers, or industrial robot arms) would combine molecules to build larger atomically precise parts. These, in turn, would be assembled by positioning mechanisms of assorted sizes to build macroscopic (visible) but still atomically-precise products.

A functioning nanofactory could create virtually any product at the cost of only the input raw material and energy.

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[Regginyaga]

I can imagine kids watching this and it seeming like a 40s science tape

[Phyerbyrd]

They're going to have to make the machines self-repairing if they want them to work. If macro-scale machines' parts wear down then nano-scale machines should be no different. Manually replacing one billion broken parts would be taxing and time consuming. The day we invent self-repairing, self-replicating chemical ciphers I'll be the happiest guy in the world.

[Mason Miller]

One of these days....

I remember watching this in like 2005. Wow that was a long time ago.

[Ultraboy3]

The body may heal but the mind is not so resilient.

[NeloAngelo33]

Could you imagine being able to print a laptop or mp3 player of your design? Everybody would have their own personalized hardware. You could even make replicas of your favorite movie gadgets!

[AceObrin]

The myth of "scarcity" propounded by "Economics" already faces serious doubts, as does the entire concept of "property". As we continue to approach the capabilities of productive nanosystems, we'll need to continuously evaluate our individual value systems and those enacted through our institutions. Yes, something like this can easily synthesize pathological nano-robots, weapons, toxins, etc., so we need to address the actual motivations for making such things, not merely attempt interdiction.

[Dainius G]

Yuh and a decade later SKYNET is going to make you regret that day.....

[SundanceVacations]

@behnamasid: That reminds me of I, Robot "You got machines making machines, now that's just stupid"

[Gerald Vance III]

on that day, humans become obsolete and will be viewed as anything with sentience and this technological ability as nothing but raw material. Be careful what you wish for.

[seethrupanti]

i suspect this would be restricted technology seeing as how just about any kind of weapon could be constructed with a thing like this. it would lead to a lot of sick things being made for sure

[behnamasid2]

Machines make machines, why isn't this available yet?

[a10fjet]

nah, things wear down because they have microscopic defects

there would be no defects in atomically built machines. the problem is building something like this. it could be done with technology today, but it would take like a billion years.