1.2 The early history of nanotechnology  (Page 4/4)

Important successes in nanotechnology

In addition to the criticism of Drexler's vision of molecular manufacturing, three important developments thatwere independent of Drexler's paper helped turn nanotechnology into this broad field, today. First, the Scanning Tunneling Microscope(STM) was invented by Binnig and Rohrer in 1981.

This overall trend created by advancements in microscopy is illustrated through Don Eigler's revolutionary"stunt" at IBM. Here, he manipulated individual Xenon atoms on a Nickel surface to form the letters "IBM."

Conclusion

While nanotechnology came into existence through Feynman's and then Drexler's vision of molecularmanufacturing, the field has evolved in the 21st century to largely include research in chemistry and materials science as well asmolecular engineering. As evidenced by Smalley's debate, this evolution is partly a response to the criticism of Drexler's views inboth Engines of Creation and the Foresight Institute. Thus, in regards to the development of nanotechnology inthe present, Drexler's vision can be viewed as an indirect influence through the sheer interest and subsequent criticism that he created inthe field. As Toumey argues, Drexler and therefore Feynman did not have a direct role in the three most important breakthroughs innanotechnology, the invention of the STM, the invention of the AFM, and the first manipulation of atoms [16]. Instead, Drexler, through Molecular Manufacturing and Engines of Creation, brought scientistsfrom all over the world to the brand new field. Consequently, criticism for Drexler's vision was established by researchers such asDr. Smalley. Through this reevaluation and the parallel breakthroughs in microscope technology, nanotechnology as a scientific field wasestablished in a way that diverged from Drexler's original vision of molecular manufacturing. This divergence is illustrated through thecontrasting goals of the government's National Nanotechnology Initiative (see "Important Links") and Drexler's ForesightInstitute. As a result, a thorough grasp of this early history is integral to understanding the development and definition of both therealities and potential of nanotechnology, today. Whereas Drexler created interest in the field but also sensationally outlined ananotech revolution, researchers around the world have brought the nanotechnology that Drexler first envisioned to a more realistic andattainable level. All in all, today, the goal for nanotech research is not to immediately create billions of assemblers that willrevolutionize our world but rather to explore the manufacturing and non-manufacturing aspects of nanotechnology, through a combination ofchemistry, materials science, and molecular engineering.17Though places such as Drexler's Foresight Institute remain, academicinstitutions such as Rice University stay away from Drexler's sensationalized vision of nanotechnology as molecularmanufacturing. This divergence is epitomized by the contrasting goals of the U.S government's National Nanotechnology Initiative and theForesight Institute.

Discussion questions

• What is your take on Toumey's argument against the influence of Feynman's vision? Do you believe that he has it right or do youthink that Feynman had a more direct influence on future discoveries? Is his evidence enough?

• In his 2004 paper in the Institute of Physics journal Nanotechnology , Drexler slay the grey goo myth he created in Engines of Creation. Is this indicative of a general trend of errorsin Drexler's sensationalized vision of molecular manufacturing? Or is this an honest miscalculation in an otherwise plausible theory?

References

[1] Wikipedia, There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom,<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plenty_of_Room_at_the_Bottom>

[2]Richard Feynman, There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom, Zyvex,<http://www.zyvex.com/nanotech/feynman.html>

[3]Chris Toumey, Apostolic Succession,<http://pr.caltech.edu/periodicals/EandS/articles/LXVIII1_2/Feynman.pdf>

[4]Wikipedia, Eric Drexler,<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K._Eric_Drexler>

[5] Source?

[6]Eric Drexler, Molecular Manufacturing,<http://www.imm.org/PNAS.html>

[7] Ibid.

[8] Wikipedia, Eric Drexler,<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K._Eric_Drexler>

[9]Michael Berry, The Creator,<http://www.sff.net/people/mberry/nano.htm>

[10] Ibid.

[11] Foresight Institute, About the Foresight Institute,<http://www.foresight.org/about/index.html>

[12] Chris Toumey, Apostolic Succession,<http://pr.caltech.edu/periodicals/EandS/articles/LXVIII1_2/Feynman.pdf>

[13] Buam, Rudy. Nanotechnology: Drexler and Smalley make the case for and against‘molecularassemblers.' Point Counterpoint, Vol.81, number 48, pp.37-41. Chemical and Engineering news. 2003.

[14] Ibid

15Foresight Institute,<http://www.foresight.org/UTF/Unbound_LBW/chapt_4.html>

[16] Chris Toumey, Apostolic Succession,<http://pr.caltech.edu/periodicals/EandS/articles/LXVIII1_2/Feynman.pdf>