Indirectly-Replicating Indirectly-Replicating NanoMachinesNanoMachines::A Kinematic Cellular AutomataA Kinematic Cellular Automata
ApproachApproach
Principal Investigator: Principal Investigator: Consultants:Consultants:Tihamer Toth-FejelTihamer Toth-Fejel Robert FreitasRobert [email protected]@gd-ais.com Matt MosesMatt Moses
October 22-24, 2004 Washington, DCOctober 22-24, 2004 Washington, DC
First Conference on Advanced Nanotechnology:First Conference on Advanced Nanotechnology:Research, Applications, and PolicyResearch, Applications, and Policy
NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts Phase I: CP-02-02
ContentsContents
1.1. Rationale Rationale2.2. Benefits Benefits3.3. Applications Applications4.4. Accomplishments Accomplishments - Characterization- Characterization
- Quantification- Quantification- Hierarchy- Hierarchy
- Subsystems- Subsystems- Cells- Cells- Simulations- Simulations
5. Conclusion and Future Directions5. Conclusion and Future Directions
RationaleRationale Why Replication?Why Replication?
Revolutionary manufacturing processRevolutionary manufacturing process NanotechnologyNanotechnology Massive reduction in costs per poundMassive reduction in costs per pound
Why Indirect Replication?Why Indirect Replication? Easier to implementEasier to implement Easier to controlEasier to control
Why not Self-Assembly?Why not Self-Assembly? Not Not ““Genotype + Ribotype = PhenotypeGenotype + Ribotype = Phenotype”” (GRP) (GRP)
No theoryNo theory
Against the principles of sound designAgainst the principles of sound design
However, probably useful for simple input partsHowever, probably useful for simple input parts
Rationale:Rationale:Why Kinematic Cellular AutomataWhy Kinematic Cellular Automata
(KCA)?(KCA)?
Combines Von NeumannCombines Von Neumann’’s two designss two designs Hierarchical, standard Turing EquivalentHierarchical, standard Turing Equivalent Indirect replicationIndirect replication Increased flexibilityIncreased flexibility Decreased complexityDecreased complexity Large system work envelopeLarge system work envelope More capabilities than smart dustMore capabilities than smart dust Both macro and Both macro and nanonano scale scale
Benefit: Cost Reduction/Lb Benefit: Cost Reduction/Lb vsvsComplexityComplexity
1
104
1 104 108 1012 1016 1020 1024
102
106
108
Wrench
Pentium
Potato
Lobster
Eigler’s IBM Ad
DigitalWatch
Car
YogurtSalt
KCA IRS
Complexity (Parts and Interactions/lb)
Cos
t ($/
lb)
Traditional Top Down Manufacturing vs Bottom-up Molecular Replication
SevenSevenMagnitudes!Magnitudes!
GA
IN
Benefit: ProgrammableBenefit: ProgrammableMaterialsMaterials
Simple identical modulesSimple identical modules Flow ModeFlow Mode Pixelated ModePixelated Mode Logic Processing ModeLogic Processing Mode
Flow ModeFlow Mode Pixelated ModePixelated Mode
Application: SpaceApplication: Space
ExplorationExploration RobustRobust HyperflexibleHyperflexible
Base ExpansionBase Expansion Lower launch weightLower launch weight Resource utilizationResource utilization
TerraformingTerraforming Politically feasiblePolitically feasible Opens new frontierOpens new frontier
AccomplishmentsAccomplishments
Modeled SimulationsModeled Simulations Sensor Position Sensor Position NAND gate and op-amp self-assembly NAND gate and op-amp self-assembly Facet Facet Transporter and Assembler Transporter and Assembler
Simulate designsSimulate designs
Developed RequirementsDeveloped RequirementsPreliminary DesignPreliminary Design
Design a KCA IRSDesign a KCA IRS
Refined ApproachRefined Approach Useful IRS Useful IRS Developed Hierarchy of Subsystems, Cells, Facets, & Parts Developed Hierarchy of Subsystems, Cells, Facets, & Parts Transporter, Assembler, & Controller Transporter, Assembler, & Controller Low-level simpler than high-level Low-level simpler than high-level Top-Down Top-Down vsvs Bottom-Up Bottom-Up Self-Assembly for input Parts Self-Assembly for input Parts Standard concepts Standard concepts Universal Constructor is approach, not goal Universal Constructor is approach, not goal
Confirm or refuteConfirm or refuteapproachapproach
Not trivial, but less than a PentiumNot trivial, but less than a PentiumQuantify theQuantify thedifficultydifficulty
Explored Multi-Dimensional SpaceExplored Multi-Dimensional SpaceCharacterizeCharacterizeunexplored areaunexplored area
GoalsGoals AccomplishmentsAccomplishments
Characterizing Replication: Adjusting theCharacterizing Replication: Adjusting theFreitas/Freitas/MerkleMerkle 116-Dimension Design Space 116-Dimension Design Space
Evolvability
ProductStructure
ReplicatorPerformance
ReplicatorSubstrate
ReplicatorControl
ReplicatorInformation
ReplicatorEnergetics
ReplicationProcess
ManipulationAutonomy
ManipulationRedundancy
ManipulationCentralization
Quantity of OnboardEnergy Types
Quantity of Manipulation Types
ManipulationDegrees of Freedom
AssemblyStyle
PositionalAccuracy
Parts Count
Parts Scale
PartsTypes
Quantityof VitaminParts
NutritionalComplexity
PartsPreparation
PartsComplexity
PartsPrecision
Multicellularity Subunit Scale
SubunitTypes
SubunitComplexity
ReplicatorKinematics
ActiveSubunits
ReplicatorParts
AllReplicators
ReplicatorStructure
SubunitHierarchy
ReplicatorDesignability
SubunitComplexityMonotonicity
Quantifying Difficulty of IRS DesignQuantifying Difficulty of IRS Design
1.00E+001.00E+011.00E+021.00E+031.00E+041.00E+051.00E+061.00E+071.00E+081.00E+09
Units of difficulty
# parts+
# interactions
Wrench Automobile Pentium KCA IRS
HierarchyHierarchy
MoleculesMoleculesMolecules
Transistors, WiresSelf-assembling Subparts:Wires, Transistors, Actuators
Genes
NAND gatesParts: Inert, Simpler than higher levelsProteins
Finite State Machines,
Shift Registers,Adders, andMultiplexersFacets: Symmetrical implementationOrganelles
Cells: Cubic devices with only threelimited degrees of freedom
Cells
Bus/Memory, ALU,and Controller
Subsystems:
Transporter, Connector, and ControllerBrain andMuscles
ProcessorReplicating System:
UsefulHorse
ComputerBiology KCA IRS
The Bottom-up HierarchicalThe Bottom-up HierarchicalApproach:Approach:
The essential problem in replicationThe essential problem in replicationWell-ordered environment,Well-ordered environment,Simple inert Simple inert partspartsSymmetric Symmetric facetsfacetsModular Modular cellscellsTransporter, Connector, and ControllerTransporter, Connector, and Controllersubsystemssubsystems
Indirectly-Replicating Indirectly-Replicating SystemSystem
Transporter SubsystemTransporter Subsystem
(pink corner structural part)
Connector SubsystemConnector Subsystem
(pink corner structural part)
(yellow edge structural part)(light blue preparation tool)
Controller SubsystemController Subsystem
Unit CellUnit Cell
(different styles of tabs, actuators, and sensors shown)
Facet AnimationFacet Animation
Parts: Structure, Sensors &Parts: Structure, Sensors &ActuatorsActuators
Self-assemblingSelf-assemblingWang TilesWang Tiles
Semi-automated Design of Self-Semi-automated Design of Self-AssemblingAssembling
NAND gate and op-ampNAND gate and op-amp
Simulation ofSimulation ofTransporter and ConnectorTransporter and Connector
Conclusion and Future DirectionsConclusion and Future Directions
No roadblocks!No roadblocks!
Final Design for macro physical prototypesFinal Design for macro physical prototypes Build physical prototypesBuild physical prototypes Build and run small cell collectionsBuild and run small cell collections Build and run subsystemsBuild and run subsystems Build macro scale IRSBuild macro scale IRS Write Place and Route softwareWrite Place and Route software Refine concept at nano scaleRefine concept at nano scale
AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements NASA Institute for Advanced ConceptsNASA Institute for Advanced Concepts John John SauterSauter __ AltarumAltarum Rick Berthiaume, Ed Waltz, Ken Augustyn, andRick Berthiaume, Ed Waltz, Ken Augustyn, andSherwood Spring Sherwood Spring __ General Dynamics AIS General Dynamics AIS
John McMillan and Teresa MacaulayJohn McMillan and Teresa Macaulay__ Wise Solutions Wise Solutions
Forrest BishopForrest Bishop__ Institute of Atomic-Scale Institute of Atomic-Scale
EngineeringEngineering Joseph Michael Joseph Michael __ Fractal Robots, Ltd. Fractal Robots, Ltd.