Nanodot Blog
Funding announcements for Atomically Precise Manufacturing
Credit - energy.gov/science-innovation Longtime Foresight member, and since October 2012 Technology Manager, Advanced Manufacturing Office, U.S. Department of Energy, David Forrest passes along these funding announcements about new opportunities at DOE: Those of you [...]
Building atom-by-atom on insulator at room temperature
It’s not red and white, but the atoms are arranged in the shape of a Swiss cross (Credit: Physics department, University of Basel) If the above picture reminds you of something like it some [...]
Blockchains, Cryptoeconomics, and Emerging Technology Risks
Blockchain formation. The main chain (black) consists of the longest series of blocks from the genesis block (green) to the current block. Orphan blocks (purple) exist outside of the main chain. Image Credit: Theymos [...]
Cyber, Nano, and AGI Risks: Computer Security and Effective Altruism
Christine Peterson, Foresight Institute Co-Founder and Projects Director Foresight Institute Co-Founder and Projects Director Christine Peterson (full biography) was interviewed recently by 80000 Hours, “an independent nonprofit funded by individual donors” and founded [...]
Prototype quantum computer gives small molecule quantum simulation
Optical micrograph of the superconducting quantum processor with seven qubits. Image credit: Kandala et al. Nature We have pointed to examples of how atomically precise nanotechnology might open the road to developing quantum computers [...]
Molecular robot builds four types of molecules
Since winning the 2007 Foresight Institute Feynman Prize in Nanotechnology, Theory category, Professor David Leigh FRS FRSE FRSC MAE, and since 2012 at the University of Manchester, has continued to achieve major milestones on the [...]
USA-Austrian and Swiss Nanocars finish first in first Nanocar race
If the current is high enough, the molecule starts to move and can be steered over the racetrack (University of Basel) Our previous post announced a race around a 100 nm course of [...]
First International NanoCar Race showcases molecular vehicles
Six NanoCars, each a unique concept created from only several dozen atoms by one of six teams representing six nations, and powered by electrical pulses, will compete to complete a 100 nm course within 38 hours.
Precisely removing individual atoms with microscope creates novel molecule
A molecule with two unpaired electrons too unstable to be made by chemical synthesis was fabricated using a scanning probe microscope to remove two hydrogen atoms from a single molecule adsorbed to a copper surface at ultra low temperature and ultra high vacuum.
From de novo protein design to molecular machine systems
A review from the group leading recent rapid progress in de novo protein design describes the successes, identifies the remaining challenges, and heralds the advance "from the Stone Age to the Iron Age" in protein design.
Two-component, 120-subunit icosahedral cage extends protein nanotechnology
Ten designs spanning three types of icosahedral architectures produce atomically precise multi-megadalton protein cages to deliver biological cargo or serve as scaffolds for organizing various molecular functions.
Cleanly placing atomically precise graphene nanoribbons
Atomically precise chevron-shaped graphene nanoribbons were purified after solution synthesis, cleanly placed by dry contact transfer on a hydrogen-passivated Si surface, imaged and manipulated by scanning tunneling microscopy, and covalently bonded to depassivated surface positions.
Designing novel protein backbones through digital evolution
Computational recombination of small elements of structure from known protein structures generates a vast library of designs that balance protein stability with the potential for new functions and novel interactions.
Adding modular hydrogen-bond networks to protein design
Computer designed networks of hydrogen bonds allow programming specific interactions of protein interfaces, facilitating programming molecular recognition.
A brief history of nanotechnology
A historian looks at nanotechnology as utopian or dystopian vision, real-life research and development, and why emerging technologies are such compelling topics.
New Funding Opportunity from U.S. DOE
A new funding opportunity from the Advanced Manufacturing Office, U.S. Department of Energy, incudes a subtopic on Atomically Precise Manufacturing
DOE office focusing on atomically precise manufacturing
Longtime Foresight member Dave Forrest is leading DOE's Advanced Manufacturing Office in advocating atomically precise manufacturing to transform the U.S. manufacturing base.
Nobel Prize in Chemistry recognizes molecular machines
Sir J. Fraser Stoddart, winner of 2007 Foresight Feynman Prize for Experiment, shares the 2016 Chemistry Nobel for the design and synthesis of molecular machines.
Assembling a large, stable, icosahedral protein molecular cage
A trimeric protein was designed to self assemble into a 60 unit icosahedron with a roomy interior that might find use to ferry molecular cargo into cells or as a chemical reactor.
Chemical fuel keeps molecular motor moving
Removing the necessity of providing several different chemical fuels in a series of distinct steps, a novel chemically-fueled molecular motor autonomously produces movement as long as the fuel supply lasts.
Rational improvement of DNA nanodevice function
Recent research documents a structure-based rational design strategy combining molecular dynamics and single molecule imaging to improve the performance of a DNA tweezers that accurately positions an enzyme and its cofactor.
Atomically precise location of dopants a step toward quantum computers
Precise matching of STM images and theoretical calculations provides exact lattice locations of dopant atoms, advancing the prospects for silicon-based quantum computers.
Watching individual chemical bonds during a reaction
Combining computational nanotechnology with a noncontact-atomic force microscope probe tipped by a single CO molecule allowed researchers to visualize the dance of individual chemical bonds during a complex organic reaction on a silver surface.
Peptoid nanosheets assemble by different design rule
Chains of monomers joined by non-biological peptoid bonds follow different rules of self-assembly and form structures not found in chains joined by the peptide bonds used to form proteins.
Engineered protein assembles molecules into atomically precise lattice
An engineered protein controls the assembly of C60 fullerene molecules into an atomically precise lattice that conducts electricity while neither component alone would.