Classes of nano-assembled products
From Wise Nano
NANO-ASSEMBLED PRODUCTS
CLASS A - Structural. A space filling simple repeating atomic structure. Dimensions and local molecular pattern is specified. Type of atoms and local molecular structure is selected for desired material characteristics, such as, strength, flexibility, hardness, electrical conductivity, and durability.
CLASS B - Mechanical. Structural components combined with simple nano-mechanical joints, levers, axles, slides, etc. Pattern repeating simple nano-mechanical machine parts are duplicated many times to produce seamless macroscopic machine parts. Examples include: seamless hinges, seamless bearings, seamless slides.
CLASS C - Active materials. Complex powered nano-machines repeated throughout the material to produce active material characteristics, such as, self repairing materials, materials that change characteristics based upon their environment, self cleaning, changing hardness or flexibility.
CLASS D - Smart materials. Active materials that include complex computational capability and high-level control interfaces with the environment or users. Examples include: voice control materials.
CLASS E - Complex devices. Any combination of CLASSES A thru D components in an electronic or mechanical product. Examples include: many consumer products, simple robots.
CLASS F - Food products. Any design with components selected from an approved list of essential and non-essential nutrients plus approved digestible harmless molecules and structures for the enhancement of texture, appearance, and taste. Examples include: the duplication of many natural foods and new never before experienced designer foods.
CLASS G - Over-the-counter medications.
In a limited-control approach to controlling molecular manufacturing, CLASSES A thru G might be considered safe for general public availability and use.
CLASS H - Prescription drugs. Both CLASSES G and H products are being phased out in favor medical nanobot repair systems.
CLASS I - Dumb nanobots. Single function, limited time, no replication, may or may not be self destructing. Examples include: waste disposal, industrial processes.
CLASS J - Smart nanobots. complex functions, limited or unlimited time span, controllable. Examples include: medical nanobots, construction nanobots, assembler nanobots. Smart nanobots have sophisticated onboard computers, sensors for identifying the atoms and molecules and larger structures in their vicinity, wireless communications with other nanobots and a central macroscopic computer, assembler/disassembler capability either general purpose or specific to a particular function or both. They will be designed to operate within target environments. Medical nanobots will be designed not to trigger immune system responses, will have a database of medical information, and be able to utilize available energy sources. Outside of the body they are assigned to they would shut down due to embedded command instructions and the lack of appropriate energy sources. Early medical nanobots will be dumb, one time use, one function use, administered by a physician. The final medical nanobot system will include artificial intelligence, contain a complete database of all biological information, and high-level interface to the user. The system will be self maintaining and capable of all possible medical functions completely replacing the entire external medical system. Besides curing all diseases and correcting all medical conditions, the final medical nanobot system will be able to reverse aging, add new capabilities, and redesign and reconfigure the body at the molecular level at the discretion of the user. Other smart nanobot systems will be likewise optimized for their environments and functions. Construction nanobots will be specialized for various work sites such as, in space, in the oceans, in the air, on the land. Assembler/disassembler capability is a basic function that all useful smart nanobot systems will have. I disagree; see talk page. Chris Phoenix, CRN 09:45, 12 Oct 2004 (CDT) Control measures will be instituted to prevent unwanted reactions. General purpose smart assembler nanobot systems will not be as efficient as specialized smart nanobot systems but they may have their uses in unpredictable environments and their broad applicability will be more important than their inefficiency in some applications such as space exploration, and safety systems. [Nanofactories are good but they can't completely replace the functionality of assembler nanobots. Sometimes you don't want to start from scratch; you want to modify something extant. Sometimes you want to operate on something that won't fit in your box, like yourself or your environment. There may be some utility to restricting nanoassembly in the beginning, but not for long. The ability to position and reposition atoms is too basic a freedom to ban indefinitely, which would result in an Orwellian tragedy.]
CLASS K - Macroscopic nano-machine systems. Examples include: desktop nanofactories, large computers, intelligent robots, space craft.
CLASS L - Living organisms. DNA based biological organisms. Examples include: pets, animals, plants, people.
CLASS M - Machine based life. Nano-machine based living organisms rather than DNA based, with all of the attributes and capabilities of biological life, but not limited to any level of biological based design considerations. Also with all of the capabilities of mature molecular nanotechnology. A new different kind of life.
