Last week, we wrote that scientists at Rice University in Houston, led by Dr. James Tour, are doing lab work toward molecular manufacturing and are achieving impressive results.
To be clear, researchers are still far from attaining the capability for exponential, general-purpose, atomically precise manufacturing. But, as we've noted, to be far from a goal in technical terms is not the same as being far in terms of calendar time.
Today we want to highlight the work of Zyvex, a Texas corporation founded by Jim Von Ehr in 1997. They describe themselves as "the first molecular nanotechnology company. . . and the most highly regarded company in the field of molecular assemblers."
Zyvex's mission is "to become the leading worldwide supplier of tools, products, and services that enable adaptable, affordable, and molecularly precise manufacturing." There should be no doubt about the company's ultimate goal -- nor about their ability to be highly successful through developing and marketing intermediate tools, products, and services, while pursuing that goal.
Zyvex was founded to become the world’s leading supplier of tools products and services that enable adaptable, affordable, and molecularly precise manufacturing. Zyvex has been developing technology that will eventually lead to an Atomically Precised Manufacturing (APM) technology.The Zyvex definition of a Molecular Assembler is "a user-controlled fabrication tool capable of creating molecularly precise structures with 3-dimensional capability in an economically viable manner." When it is brought to full fruition, this technology will revolutionize virtually all manufacturing technologies with the ability to produce machines and materials with molecular precision.
They state that this is a long-term project, and that at least three different approaches are being explored to reach this goal while still providing value along the way. Reiterating their vision:
Zyvex will constantly be evaluating the best path to a massively parallel molecular assembler.
A "massively parallel molecular assembler" is a good synonym for a nanofactory. Coming soon to a countertop near you...
Mike Treder
Tags: nanotechnology nanotech nano science technology ethics weblog blog
Maybe they will add an item to their timeline page:
2005, OCTOBER, Zyvex featured in CRN Blog.
Posted by: Mike Deering | October 30, 2005 at 09:25 AM