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December 23rd, 2004

Is mechanosynthesis feasible? The debate moves up a gear.

Abstract:
A great debate is taking place at Softmachines on the feasibility of mechanosynthesis of diamondoid nanostructures. Robert Freitas, Jr., recently presented an Invited Lecture titled “Pathway to Diamond-Based Molecular Manufacturing” during the First Symposium on Molecular Machine Systems at the First Foresight Conference on Advanced Nanotechnology, 22 October 2004, Washington, DC.

Here you will find astute critique by Dr. P J Moriarty (the School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham), and counter points by Chris Phoenix (the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology) and others.

While I am disappointed with Dr. Jones (host of Softmachines) for his use of derogatory terms and phrasing in his opening, I wholeheartedly agree with his point “The fact that the proposals can be criticized is positive too; in science this type of criticism isn’t destructive. It’s at the heart of the process by which science moves forward.”

Rocky Rawstern, Editor, Nanotechnology Now

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