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Stages of Nanotechnology
 The original home of this document ishttp://www.thickerthanbloodthebook.com/nano-stages.shtml Scribd used to list this document under a different name, but something broke.Please consider rating it again. Thank you.Icon 26 got me thinking. How do you separate the many stages of nanotechnology? What will nanotech's eras be? A lot of that depends if weleverage mechanisms in existing biological systems (top down) or build thingsfrom scratch (bottom up). I assumed that some biological structures where copiedbut needed to be carefully built in a bottom up approach. This assumption isbased on the often overlooked but major advantage of more normal scalemechanical structures, predictability.Mind you if I get this obviously wrong that does not mean the science in the bookwill be incorrect. I purposefully avoided the slog down to the atomic scale andstep by step progress to an autonomous nanite. It may have been quite boring tobe realistic.I'm sorry if some of the later stages seem morbid, but in my opinion that is thepath humanity is headed down right now. I hope it can be changed.
Nanotech in a controlled environment.
 1.
Nanomaterials
- Something as simple as chemical engineering withsamples at the nano scale qualifies as a nanomaterial.
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We are here in 2007.
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 This is treated as the next step in traditional centralizedmanufacturing nothing really new here2.
Smart nanomaterials
- I take this to mean nanomaterials withcustom molecules that are both reactive to stimuli and whose reactionsare reversible and can be performed many times.
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Some may argue we are here in 2007.
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Some later materials will include super solar panels, and LCDstyle displays on cheap stickers. The eyeglasses in the book usetransparent stickers on glasses for a binocular integrated display.3.
Nanotech Builder
- Mechanical apparatus capable of buildingstructures that needs solid state direct control. Something like ananoscale arm that is controlled by a much larger computer.
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 This will be the final generation of technology used to buildcomputer chips. Computer chips using todays archtectures willpermanently top out in speed a few years after the these are firstused in chip mass production.
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Nanotech Builders will be used to cheaply mass produce smartnanomaterials.
 
4.
Nanite
- an independent vessel capable of taking simple commandsand building complex things with them in a highly controlled conditions.
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 The companies MIR and Datahold from "Thicker Than Blood" havethe world thinking that this is state of the the art.
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 This is the last stage that doesn't directly challenge centralizedmanufacturing and subsequently governments.
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Early nanites will probably be first built to simplify the scalingproblems of signaling between builders and larger scale controls.
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Early nanites will probably require a vaccum.
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 They will have a simple on board computer and commandinterpeter.5.
Replicating Nanite
- Nanite that can build another copy of itself in acontrolled environment.
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A system of dissimilar nanites may be required to build morenanites. They will be replicating so long as the entire system canbe replicated.
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By obtaining a complete system of these nanites (transported ina controlled environment), and understanding the signaling usedto talk to them a group of specialists could perpetuate the flockindefinately.
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Governments tightly control manufacturing plants recognizing thethreat to themselves. Natural environment nanite development isbanned and driven underground.
Nanotech in natural enviorment.
 1.
Shielded Nanite
- Nanite shielded from the the chemical reactionsand heat in a natural environment. Shielded Nanites can functionnormally below room temperature and above 98.7 Fahrenheit. Theyshould also be able to function immersed in some fluids of the sametemperature range.
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While these can be used in natural environments, they must bebuilt in a vacuum environment by vacuum only nanites.
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 The focus will probably be on operation inside the blood streamfirst. The medical implications are enourmous.
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Governments continue develop shielded nanites for use inwarfare.
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In the book, MIR thinks this the state of the art.2.
Shielded Nanite with Replication
- Shielded nanites that canproduce more nanites with the same capabilities as the originals. Theywill need a special soup to replicate.
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 This completely commoditizes almost all manufacturing.
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Governments, economies, and currencies will endure a radicalshift away from central manufacturing and most trade willcollapse within a few years.
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People will quickly design superpowers for themselves.
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Intellectual property, commodities, land, and most especiallyskills will dwarf other asset classes.
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 The group of heroes in the book discover this ability in thenanites they commendeered.
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