A demonstration that most fundamental biological processes can be implemented in a test tube as efficiently as in live bacteria provides synthetic biology the tools to create a ‘new industrial revolution’, which may or may not lead to more general molecular manufacturing.
Sander Olson interviewed Jim Von Ehr of Zyvex for the website NextBigFuture.com by Brian Wang. Here’s an excerpt: We are confident that we will be able to create simple, blocklike objects within the next five years. From that point, capabilities should grow fairly rapidly. Once simple block objects are created, we can programmably assemble them… Continue reading Zyvex founder Jim Von Ehr: "Rudimentary molecular manufacturing by 2020"
One way to reach molecular machine systems is to get really, really good at protein engineering. If that’s your goal, you’ll want to be in Boston on May 17-21 for PEGS 2010, “the essential protein engineering summit”. Not sure if this is your pathway? Just reading the talk titles is educational. And they have great… Continue reading The protein engineering path to molecular manufacturing
This year is the 20th anniversary of the original Foresight Conference on Nanotechnology. The neat, clear vision of nanotechnology we had in 1989 rested on two key aspects that would make it a transformative, rather than merely an evolutionary, technology: The ability to construct and observe at the atomic scale, and the construction of machines… Continue reading Foresight 2010: the Synergy of Molecular Manufacturing and AGI
From The Gulf Times via Nanowerk: The proposal for establishing an Arab Council on Nanotechnology (ACON) was presented by Al-Quds University’s Mukhles Sowwan while discussing about ‘Nanotechnology and molecular manufacturing: Towards balanced plans for responsible worldwide use.’ “The mission of ACON should be to raise awareness of the benefits and dangers of molecular nanotechnology, and… Continue reading Proposal for Arabs to address molecular manufacturing
The long-awaited report on the U.S. NNI from the National Academies’ National Research Council has just been issued. For Foresight, the most important part is the review of molecular self-assembly and molecular manufacturing. Here’s the short form: Molecular Assembly: Self-assembly for the manufacturing of simple devices and materials is feasible, but because the probability of… Continue reading National Academies nanotechnology report calls for experimentation toward molecular manufacturing
Researchers at Rice have build a single-molecule device that rolls along a gold surface, which they have nicknamed the nanocar. From Chemical & Engineering News: “A group led by chemistry professor James M. Tour constructed the tiny four-wheeler from an oligo(phenylene ethynylene) chassis and axle covalently mounted to four fullerene wheels. With the help of… Continue reading Light-driven motorized nanocar built at Rice: step toward molecular manufacturing
Patti Glaza, CEO of Small Times Media, comments on molecular manufacturing and the Drexler/Smalley debate in her Sept. 2005 column. Titled “Even at loggerheads, great minds inspire us to dream grandly”, the column was inspired by an SPIE conference where Drexler gave a plenary talk in place of Smalley, who was unable to attend for… Continue reading Small Times CEO on molecular manufacturing
From Capitol Reports: Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell has signed Special Act 05 – 13 — an “Act Concerning Nanotechnology, Molecular Manufacturing And Advanced And Developing Technologies At Institutions Of Higher Education” — to help create higher education degree programs in nanotechnology. The new law requires the Commissioner of Higher Education, in consultation with the… Continue reading Connecticut to take lead in molecular manufacturing education
Posted by Robert Bradbury: Mike Treder writes “Nanotechnology’s long-expected transformation of manufacturing has just moved closer to reality. A new analysis of existing technological capabilities, including proposed steps from today’s nanotech to advanced molecular machine systems, was released today by the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology“. The study, “Molecular Manufacturing: What, Why and How,” performed by… Continue reading Moving closer to "real" molecular manufacturing
