Computational Nanotechnology at
NASA Ames Research Center, 1996
Authors
Al Globus,
MRJ, Inc. at NASA Ames Research Center,
David Bailey,
Steve Langhoff,
Andrew Pohorille
and Creon Levit
NASA Ames Research Center.
Abstract
Some forms of nanotechnology appear to have enormous potential to
improve aerospace and computer systems; and computational
nanotechnology, the design and simulation of programmable molecular
machines, is crucial to progress. NASA Ames Research Center has begun
a computational nanotechnology program including in-house work,
external research grants, and grants of supercomputer time. Four
goals have been established:
- Simulate a hypothetical programmable molecular machine
replicating itself and building other products.
- Develop molecular manufacturing CAD software and use it to design
molecular manufacturing systems and products of aerospace
interest -- including computer components.
- Characterize nanotechnologically accessible materials of
aerospace interest.
Such materials may have excellent strength and thermal
properties.
- Collaborate with experimentalists.
Current in-house activities include:
In addition, the NAS supercomputer division sponsored a workshop on computational molecular
nanotechnology on March 4-5, 1996 held at NASA Ames Research Center
Finally, collaborations with Bill Goddard at CalTech, Ralph Merkle at
Xerox Parc, Don Brenner at NCSU, Tom McKendree at Hughes,
and Todd Wipke at UCSC are
underway.
To the full paper.
To companion papers.
Author: Al Globus