View source for Modular molecular composite nanosystem

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[[File:Incremental path - MMCS Modular Molecular Composite Nanosystems.svg|500px|thumb|right|'''Very crude conceptual example of part of an MMCN.''' Red may represent proteins, Blue dots may represent binding sites/active sites. dark grey blocks and grid of black may represent bigger structures (maybe [[structural DNA nanotechnology]]). Yellow way represent a gold contact on a chip for electrostatic interaction. White outline: A hinge. ...]]

Modular molecular composite nanosystems (MMCNs). <br>
A term coined by Eric Drexler on his former blog. See link to archived page below. <br>
This page is an interpretation/guess on the intended meaning.

== General definition ==

* '''M Molecular''' ... atomically precise molecules ([[topological atomic precision]] or better) <br> rather than nanoparticles with a statistical distribution in size 
* '''M Modular''' ... parts are modular that is they have standard interfaces and are thus (not necessarily reversibly) composable in many different ways <br> rather than systems that are one-off solutions or one specific problem 
* '''C composite''' ... the combining of different foldamer and molecule technologies.
* '''N Nano''' ... typical size scale
* '''S System''' ... see wikipedias definiton on that

=== Compositeness ===

MMCNs are semi [[advanced productive nanosystem]]s on an intermediate technology level. <br>
They make heavy use of results of [[foldamer R&D]] such as results in: 
* [[Structural DNA nanotechnology]]
* [[de-novo proteins]] and 
* other synthetic small molecules ...

== Degree of advancedness ==

MMCNs are quite low in the stack of [[technology level]]s. <br>
They are situated at:
* End of [[Technology level 0]]
* Mainly [[Technology level I]]
* Beginning of [[Technology level II]]
Related: [[Technology level]]s & [[Downward inward]]

MMCNs are quite high up the technological capability in terms of [[hierarchical selfassembly]]. <br>
Related: [[Hierarchical selfassembly]] & [[Upward outward]]

Motions in these systems will typically be limited to [[weak mechanosynthesis]] only. That is: 
* There is more or less guided motion 
* There is little to no capability to actively apply forces to accelerate reactions
On the less guided motion end of weak mechanosynthesis there is [[tether assisted assembly]]. <br>
Which may be made use of in MMCNs.

== Concrete picture(s) ==

Larger scale addressable grids (good [[termination control]])
Including minimal basic means for:
* actuation 
* sensing 
* data IO interfacing to today's macroscale systems
* internal computation (e.g. flippable operation modes)

{{wikitodo| add graphic}}

One main use for MMSNs may be the sequencing chemistry for small molecules. <br>
E.g. catalyzing reactions is a specified sequence (sensing molecules is much easier than catalysis as catching and binding is a sub problem to doing reactions)
perhaps somewhat programmable.

MMCNs could also transport and place bigger blocks mainly by exploiting thermal motion (thermal nonequilibrium feynman ratches) <br>
Though, transporting bigger blocks and semi-positionally assembling them to even bigger structures (microns to visible scales and beyond) <br>
may be more closely related to what on this wiki will be called the [[Robo approach]].

== Limitations ==

=== Main limitation ===

More advanced materials beyond [[foldamers]] are out of reach for MMCNs due to <br>
the lack of means for suppression of thermal motions in stronger [[mechanosynthesis]] based on more advanced materials. <br>
A chicken egg problem. Yes. Needs a look in more details to spot resolvability. <br>

MMCNs are early in the [[bootstrapping]] towards [[gem-gum technology]]. <br>
Specifically they are early on the [[Gemstone-like compound|gem]] side of [[The defining traits of gem-gum-tec|gem-gum]]. <br>
See: [[Bootstrapping atomic precision]] & [[Downward inward]] in [[expanding the kinematic loop]]

=== Minor limitations ===

* [[Effective concentration]] can only be increased by steric constraints increasing encounter rates by spacial proximity.
* [[Effective concentration]] can not be increased by applied forces as this is not yet possible.

MMCN's will be slower lower throughput 

== Delineation ==

Unlike systems more advanced in the [[technology level]]s <br>
these early systems are likely much more voluminous and <br>
perhaps even fully free floating rather that a thin layer firmly anchored onto a chips surface.

These systems could be called "nanofactories" of "foldamer nanofactories" but not <br>
"gemstone metamaterial (gem-gum) nanofactories".

== Related ==

* '''[[Eric Drexler's blog partially dug up from the Internet Archive]]'''
* [[Advanced productive nanosystem]]s
* [[Robo approach]]
----
* '''[[Combining advantages of different selfassembly technologies]]'''
* [[Incremental path]]
----
* Kind of analogy along the [[incremental path]]: <br>[[Early diamondoid nanosystem pixel (direct path)]]

== External links ==

* 2008-11-10 from Eric Drexlers blog: '''[https://web.archive.org/web/20160329234818/http://metamodern.com/2008/11/10/modular-molecular-composite-nanosystems/ Modular Molecular Composite Nanosystems]'''