The current issue of Nanotechnology Law and Business (Vol. 4, Issue 2) includes a surprising article called “Nanoassemblers: A Likely Threat?” by Martin Moskovits, a Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Dean of the Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at the University of California Santa Barbara. I saw this just as I was heading out the door for a vacation, so have not had time to actually read it, but a quick skim is disappointing, e.g.:
To pick up a specific molecule from the environment and place it precisely where you want it, you would need “limbs” that are not very much bigger than a molecule. Such limbs are themselves composed of relatively few atoms or molecules. As a result the limbs are subject to thermal fluctuations, Brownian motion, and a quantum phenomenon called zero point motion. Thus, the nanobot’s limbs will jitter and their accuracy as an assembler will be faulty. A nanoassembler reaching for a given molecule will often miss, and because the jitter (both of the nanobot’s limbs and the molecule) is unpredictable, its reliability would be compromised.
It gets tedious reading analyses that present “thermal fluctuations, Brownian motion, and a quantum phenomenon called zero point motion” as possibly new information for those already in the discussion. This is like saying to the Wright Brothers: “Guys! What about gravity?”
I will have to leave a detailed critique of the article to others more able than I. But I can say one thing: I looked repeatedly and the book Nanosystems does not seem to be referenced. How could anyone write about this topic without citing and critiquing that book? It’s truly bizarre. Folks — is it there? I couldn’t find it. The author cites plenty of lighter material. What’s going on here?
One point you can see in the free abstract: “Simple, microscopic, self-replicating mechanical systems would also be possible, which could pose health and environmental threats not unlike pathogens…” The author is getting involved in the discussion of gray goo. He will probably regret that! —Christine
