Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is the applied science of working with atomic and molecular sized machines.

• Generally nanotechnology concerns itself with working with things on the scale of 100 nanometers or smaller. Nanotechnology, on a theoretical basis, is generally divided into a weak and a strong period of development based upon capability and pervasiveness of adoption.

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Please see the following AAB Library Data articles for more information:

• Nano Science / Nanotechnology (Nano-)
  • Angel Net
  • Apocalypse Package
  • Claytronics
  • Grey Goo
  • Makertech
  • Nanocyte
  • Nanomedicine
  • Self-replicating Factory
  • Smartdust
  • Starseed Launcher
  • Utility Fog
  • Von Neumann Machine

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Description (Specifications)

Nanotechnological innovations begin around TL–8 with the construction of machines capable of imaging and moving individual atoms. This bottom up approach to construction of devices and materials is quickly supplemented with better understanding of chemical properties and the ability to finely manipulate chemical processes through electrical, magnetic, or photomanipulation techniques. Many of these techniques borrow from biological processes. This places nanotechnology studies somewhere between biology, mechanical engineering, and chemistry.

Grey Goo Scenario

"Grey Goo" is the colloquial name used for an apocalyptic, nightmare scenario in which self-reproducing swarms of nanomachines run rampant transforming entire planets into swathes of slimey watelands, no longer fit for conventional life. Many other colors of goo exist associated with specific apocalyptic scenarios or industrial uses. Some kinds of goo have been rumored to be intentionally weaponized. It is rumored that sites suffering from apocalyptic grey goo scenarios throughout Charted Space have been red zoned.

History & Background (Dossier)

Many of the technological advances made by TL–9 and beyond have been influenced by the advances of nanotechnology.

Industrial Nanotechnology Period

TL:7-9: Industrial Nanotechnology (Proto-Nanotechnology) - The earliest prototypical nanotechnology uses industrial manufacturing technologies and bridges the boundaries between an industrial society and a maker society. The first nanocytes, or nanotechnological machines are manufactured by industrial factories using pre-maker technology.

Nanotechnological Makertech Period

TL:10-18: Wet Nanotechnology (Makertech) - Nanotech processes are a "wet" technology, requiring specialized equipment to create and manipulate. Wet Nanotech is sometimes characterized as "Weak or Early Nanotechnology". Much as Fusion+ once revolutionized energy production from a large-scale infrastructure product to a small-scale cottage industry, Makertech transforms manufacturing technologies making it possible to transform factories, formerly very large scale operations into much smaller, more portable ones. A simple fusion still and maker forge could perform the same quality functions as a much larger industrial era factory.

Nanotechnological Ultra-Tech Period

TL:19-27: Dry Nanotechnology (Ultratech) - There remains a large area of study for "dry" nanotechnology, where the nano machines are used outside a laboratory or manufacturing facility to manipulate the environment to a particular end. Dry Nanotech is sometimes characterized as "Strong, Late, or Advanced Nanotech". Ultra-technological Nanotech combines artificial intelligence with advanced micro-technologies hypothetically transforming society and civilization.

References & Contributors (Sources)

This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Nanotechnology. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. The text of Wikipedia is available under the Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Far Future Enterprises or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.

• Loren Wiseman. GURPS Traveller Core Rules (Steve Jackson Games, 1998), 14-15.
• Citation Missing - Central Supply Catalogue
• Jae Campbell. Encyclopaedia Dagudashaag (Signal-GK, 2017), 95, 119, 258, 262, 366.
• Jae Campbell. For Your Eyes Only (Signal-GK, 2017), 12.
• Marc Miller. T5 Core Rules (Far Future Enterprises, 2013), TBD.
• Traveller Wiki Editorial Team
• Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science