A new book by German physicist Jürgen Altmann of Dortmund University looks at Military Nanotechnology: Potential Applications and Preventive Arms Control. (Hat tip: Nanodot)
From the book's description:
The concept of "molecular NT" would be characterised by universal molecular assemblers, self-replicating nano-robots, super-human artificial intelligence. Applied for military purposes, fast exponential growth of armaments would become possible, with weapons on all size scales, acting against all kinds of targets, selectively or for mass destruction. In this still hypothetical scenario, even human control would be at risk…
It's not clear from this brief entry whether Altmann is basing his discussion of molecular manufacturing on the latest information. Current MM proposals do not call for "self-replicating nano-robots." And his use of the phrase "universal molecular assemblers" suggests that he may not be up to date. I have requested a review copy of the book so we can find out more and let you know.
Elsewhere in news about future warfare:
Technology will increasingly allow the most sophisticated and best equipped militaries -- primarily that of the US -- to fight battles using robots rather than soldiers.Ideas on the drawing board or in development include killer satellites that could destroy an enemy's satellites, a Common Aero Vehicle (CAV) that could swoop with hypersonic speed up to 3,000 miles to attack a target, Hyper-Velocity Rod Bundles that would fire tungsten bars weighing 100kg from a permanently orbiting platform, and a space-based laser that uses mirrors to direct the sun's rays against ground targets.
Hat tip: KurzweilAI.net
We've published our views about military use of advanced nanotechnology here, here, and here, among other places.
Tags: nanotechnology nanotech nano science technology ethics weblog blog
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