05-11-2016, 05:11 PM
Here's some quips I have about nanotechnology in literature.
The energy required to disassemble any matter into molecules is ASTRONOMICAL. Nuclear fission obviously requires very energy dense matter... And nanomachines can't really hold more atomic energy than their mass dictates. This could be partially supported by wireless energy, just look up tesla's work.
Second, to really do anything effectual they would have to be no smaller than a blood cell, they wouldn't be able to move fast on their own considering a brisk walk for a person is like hypersonic flight on that scale. Sure enough of them could make a move efficient movement mechanism like a wheel but still, power requirements...
Oh and with every tool you add adds mass not used for something else, want color shifting? That's gonna cost you.
All in all nanomachines in any realistic setup would be very sluggish in a solid mass unless they're munching on plutonium rods constantly. Also assimilation would have to take a VERY long time, pulling apart atoms and rearranging them is simply not easy. Carbon based life is by far the most efficient and self sufficient machine in existence. Considering how much it can do given the fuel it's mind boggling. Sure a running bot can run faster, but can it be fueled by hamburgers and repair itself after being shot?
Organic life is sooooo underrated, everything is just taken for granted.
/rant /ramble
The energy required to disassemble any matter into molecules is ASTRONOMICAL. Nuclear fission obviously requires very energy dense matter... And nanomachines can't really hold more atomic energy than their mass dictates. This could be partially supported by wireless energy, just look up tesla's work.
Second, to really do anything effectual they would have to be no smaller than a blood cell, they wouldn't be able to move fast on their own considering a brisk walk for a person is like hypersonic flight on that scale. Sure enough of them could make a move efficient movement mechanism like a wheel but still, power requirements...
Oh and with every tool you add adds mass not used for something else, want color shifting? That's gonna cost you.
All in all nanomachines in any realistic setup would be very sluggish in a solid mass unless they're munching on plutonium rods constantly. Also assimilation would have to take a VERY long time, pulling apart atoms and rearranging them is simply not easy. Carbon based life is by far the most efficient and self sufficient machine in existence. Considering how much it can do given the fuel it's mind boggling. Sure a running bot can run faster, but can it be fueled by hamburgers and repair itself after being shot?
Organic life is sooooo underrated, everything is just taken for granted.
/rant /ramble