What is a Nanofactory?
The nanofactory is the standard proposed application for first generation molecular manufacturing, also known as molecular nanotechnology. Molecular manufacturing is a futuristic technology that would employ vast arrays of nano-level machine systems (“nanoassemblers”) to synthesize macro-scale products using a process called convergent assembly. In convergent assembly, an assembly line of progressively larger manipulator arms assembles product subcomponents and passes them onto the next stage of larger manipulator arms, until finally a human-usable product is created. Because these nanoassemblers would be stationary and work in an assembly line like a conventional factory, the danger of these nanomachines breaking loose and running wild is absent. Nanotechnology visionaries have long been worried of a backlash to their proposed technology based on fanciful science fiction stories, such as Michael Crichton’s “Prey”, which depict “nanotechnology” as autonomous machine swarms with self-ev
The nanofactory is a proposed compact molecular manufacturing system, possibly small enough to sit on a desktop, that could build a diverse selection of large-scale molecularly precise diamondoid products. The nanofactory is potentially a high quality, extremely low cost, and very flexible manufacturing system. The principal input to a diamondoid nanofactory is simple hydrocarbon feedstock molecules such as natural gas, propane, or acetylene. Small supplemental amounts of a few other simple molecules containing trace atoms of chemical elements such as oxygen, nitrogen or silicon may also be required. The nanofactory must be provided with electrical power and a means for cooling the working unit. The principal output of the first commercial nanofactory will be macroscale quantities of molecularly precise diamondoid products. These products may include nanocomputers, medical nanorobots, products having diverse aerospace and defense applications, devices for cheap energy production and en
