Is anyone doing actual lab work on molecular manufacturing?
We're often asked that question, and now we have a positive answer: The research group at Rice University that produced the nanocar. Their reported goal is to "build tiny trucks that could carry atoms and molecules around in miniature factories."
"The synthesis and testing of nanocars and other molecular machines is providing critical insight in our investigations of bottom-up molecular manufacturing," said one of the two lead researchers, Dr. James Tour. "We'd eventually like to move objects and do work in a controlled fashion on the molecular scale, and these vehicles are great test beds for that. They're helping us learn the ground rules."
Who is James Tour? He's quite a distinguished scientist and educator. From his bio:
Dr. James M. Tour joined the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology at Rice University in 1999 where he is presently the Chao Professor of Chemistry, and Professor of Computer Science, and Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science. Tour has won several national awards including the National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award in Polymer Chemistry and the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award in Polymer Chemistry. He has more than 235 publications with 17 patents or published patent applications.
Moving atoms and molecules around in miniature factories...working in a controlled fashion on the molecular scale...synthesizing molecular machines...doing bottom-up molecular manufacturing...
All these things sound very familiar. It's only a matter of time now -- probably not very much time -- until we have all the tools and skills to build a nanofactory. And then the nanotech revolution [PPT] will begin.
UPDATE: See "Backpedalling Denialists"