Molecular Nanotechnology in Aerospace: 1999

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Molecular Nanotechnology in Aerospace 1999

• Al Globus
• Veridian-MRJ Technology Solutions, Inc.
• at NASA Ames Research Center

• Dream
• 1018 MIPS computers Drexler 1992a
• 1015 bytes/cm2 write once memory Bauschlicher
  1997
• Three ton 4 person SSTO Drexler 1992b

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Three Pillars of Molecular Nanotechnology

• Atomically precise control of matter
• Molecular machines
• Programmable matter

Our favorite molecules carbon Nanotubes
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Atomically Precise Control of Matter
http//www.almaden.ibm.com80/vis/stm/atomo.html
Dekker 1999
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Molecular Machines
Cassell 1999
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Programmable Matter

• Numerical Machine Tools

• Fabbers

http//www.Ennex.com/fabbers/uses.sht

• DNA, RNA, Polypeptide sequencers

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Programmed Molecules for Sale
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Applications

• Computers
• Design, simulate
• Control
• Test
• H2 Storage
• Materials
• Strong
• Heat tolerant
• Smart and active

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NanoComputer Components
Tans 1998
Reed 1998
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NanoComputer Architecture

• Teramac Heath 1998
• Requires unreliable
• Wires
• Devices connecting the wires
• in a 2D grid
• Molecular implementation Collier 1999
• Lithographically fabricated metal wires
• Monolayer of redox-active rotaxane switches
• Aiming for memory chip soon

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CNT H2 Storage
Source Deepak Srivastava, MRJ at NASA Ames
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Materials

• Improved strength
• Youngs modulus
• Steel 0.2 TeraPascals
• SWCNT 1.2 TeraPascals

• Smart paint
• Active materials

Source Deepak Srivastava
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Polybot Replication
parts
Growth
Replication
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Summary

• Molecular nanotechnology
• Atomically precise control of matter
• Molecular machines
• Programmable matter
• Aerospace applications
• Computers
• H2 Storage
• Materials (sensors/actuators)
• Major challenge replication