Nanotech Basics V1.0
Design Concepts
Nanotech is one of the most powerful and amazing technologies on the Cyberpunk period. Tiny little devices that can rearrange molecules to custom patterns.
But there's a great deal of confusion present over what they are, how they work...at least in theory and what they can do. This section will detail some of my views and opinions on the subject.
Basic Types of Nanotech
Unknown to most people there are several types of nanotech device possible. Even today there are many different approaches to nanotechnology. I'll list a few I've heard about and speculate on a few more.
None Organic Nanotech
This is the kind of nanotech that most people who play cyberpunk think about. It is essentially a tiny robot designed to rebuild atoms and molecules on the spot. Some interesting work is being done to design such a device but at the moment it remains only science fiction. Nanites as they are called on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" are programmable machines that can be designed to perform a wide range of very exacting tasks.
Organic Nanotech
This is the type of nanotechnology that most players don't know about. Organic nanotech has been in existence since life itself began. Cellular structures such as ribosomes do all the same things that machine based nanotech are being designed to do. A ribosome is a programmable factory that can turn out very precise protein molecules based on a DNA blueprint. Once we can custom designed the molecules and the DNA code it shouldn't be difficult to create tailor-made molecules. In fact there was a project in the last 10 years to create gasoline style fuel through an organic factory. And some scientists think the next generation computers will be grown rather than built.
Structural Nanotech
This is the kind of nanotech that is currently being designed. Its the logical extension of miniaturization. Smaller and smaller components are being made, molecular motors and switches. Sensing elements based on those found in insects. All far to tiny for even the optical microscope to find, small enough that tunnelling electron microscopes are needed. Scariest thing is...this has already happened. Scientists have already designed a motor composed of a single spinning molecule...realistically at this point it has no real use...but one day.
This approach also applies to the next generation computers. An article I was recently sent indicates that one day computers may function on a truly molecular level using advances in quantum mechanics.
Volatile Nanotech
So far all the types of nanotech listed have been non-volatile. That is they need precise programs to functions. Volatile nanotech is another another matter entirely. It can adapt to new situations and rewrite its program as needed. Its intelligent for all intents and purposes. Its both the most potent technology ever and the biggest threat combined. How do you control or stop a molecular device that can literally take anything apart...and worse can adapt to whatever control mechanisms you have in place.
Control Mechanisms
Considering just how dangerous nanotech can be there has to be some form of fail safe involved. Nonorganic nanotech need power sources, can be scrambled by electromagnetic pulses, and can probably be stored with magnetic fields. Organic nanotech can be destroyed through a enzyme based process called lysing.
This is where volatile nanotech becomes so scary. Cause intelligent nanotech could very easily evolve or adapt to each new control mechanism. Essentially becoming impossible to control.
The Grey Goo Scenario
This is the worst case scenario for nanotech. A nanotech machine runs rampant, designed to convert any known material into a specific product it essentially renders the planet and everything on it down to scrap parts to make that product.