Molecular nanotechnology

Abstract

Molecular nanotechnology involves the ability to manufacture objects to precise atomic specifications. A central postulate is that any structure that can be specified and that does not violate physical law can be built. Three pathways to molecular nanotechnology are proximate probe technology (the use of improvements of the scanning tunneling microscope, STM), biotechnology, and supramolecular chemistry. Combinations of these technologies appear particularly powerful. The biotechnological approach should make it possible to use in vitro translation systems to manufacture polymers containing at least 10 times as many different artificial monomers as there are natural amino acids. These polymers could further adsorb various other molecular devices, and the use of STMs should enable the complexes to be arranged into sophisticated machines, including molecular computers. The implications include pocket superautomated analyzers and the ability to base medical therapy on the biochemical individuality of specific patients.