Difference between revisions of "Gemstone based metamaterial"

From apm
Jump to: navigation, search
m (→‎The limits of metamaterials)
m (added the size of spaces illustration too)
 
(65 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Template:Site specific definition}}
 
{{Template:Site specific definition}}
−
[[File:nanocell crystal 1.jpg|thumb|left|Diamondoid metamaterials can be made to [[color emulation|emulate any desired appearence]]. But if one does not care and the surface structures are in the size range of the wavelength of visible light '''they're likely to exhibit iridescent appearance'''. Furthermore some simple metamaterials (e.g. [[Locking mechanisms#Van der Waals locking|VdW solids]]) can be brittle but [[splinter prevention|this may not be desirable]] (image source: Casshern Sins 27)]]
+
Simply by nanostructuring [[abundant elements]] they can (in the vast majority of cases)
 +
replace the scarce elements that are needed today.
 +
In fact the one single element carbon alone is sufficient to replace almost all other materials.
 +
{{Template:paradox material property example}}
 +
The topic here are the base materials for all the products of [[technology level III|gem-gum technology]].
 +
* Up to more general definition: ''[[Metamaterial]]'' or ''[[Mechanical metamaterial]]''<br>
 +
* To: [[Gemstone like compounds]] which serve as the base-materials for [[gemstone based metamaterial]]s.
 +
[[File:nanocell crystal 1.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Diamondoid metamaterials can be made to [[color emulation|emulate any desired appearance]]. But if one does not care and the surface structures are in the size range of the wavelength of visible light '''they're likely to exhibit iridescent appearance'''. Furthermore some simple metamaterials (e.g. [[Locking mechanisms#Van der Waals locking|VdW solids]]) can be brittle but [[splinter prevention|this may not be desirable]] thus more effort in metamaterial engineering must be invested.(image source: Casshern Sins 27)]]
 +
[[File:DALL·E 2022-10-05 21.25.17 - a long thin clear gemstone crystal rod but wrung out and torsionaly twisted like a towel by two hands in white shirt, black background.png|300px|thumb|right|Artistic illustration of a [[gemstone based mechanical metamaterial]] that features [[emulated elasticity]]. This may be based on [[moissanite]] and thus highly temperature resistant ([[refractory]]). Very unlike any kind of rubber in existence 2022.]]
 +
[[File:Space_of_possible_materials.svg|250px|thumb|right|Red space of metamaterials is quite systematically exhaustible. The grey space may be bigger even, yes, but it is very hard to reach in a one-off non-systematic lucky discovery fashion only. To give a weird analogy: Like we know much fewer real numbers beyond the rationals than we know rationals numbers despite there being much more of the former.]]
  
−
A diamondoioid metameterial is an material that has a '''for the human senses unpercievable small structure''' that enables it to create '''a plethora of mechanical properties with just one or a few chemical [[diamondoid|compounds that are suitable for advanced APM]] as base materials'''. ''(Here is a more generalized definition for: [[metamaterial]])''
+
= Definition =
  
−
Diamondoid metameterials form '''the necessary basis for the yet speculative [[further improvement at technology level III|advanced applications]] of  [[technology level III|the goal technology level]]'''. These highly complex applications will only become possible through the smart combination of the set of newly available metamaterials with novel properties.
+
A gemstone based metamaterial (or [[diamondoid]] metamaterial or '''gem-gum''' for short):
 +
* 1) consists out of one (or a few) [[diamondoid compound|gemstone like base materials]] <br>that means compounds that are suitable for advanced atomically precise technology
 +
* 2) has a '''for the human senses imperceptibly small structuring'''. <br>This structuring is usually formed by complexly interlocking [[crystolecule]]s and [[microcomponent]]s.
 +
* 3) '''optional:''' Has somehow interlocking [[crystolecule]]s or [[microcomponent]]s with some sort of mechanical function (bearing interfaces present and critical for function). This third point is only added here to delineate more clearly (high level) gemstone based metamaterials from [[low level gemstone metamaterial]]s.
  
−
Depending on the design of the APM nanofactory that assembles the diamondoid metamaterials (vacuum handling ...) they can be organized in [[microcomponents|microcomponents]] or be monolithic.
+
The structuring gives the resulting material properties that are not native to the base material. In fact the properties of the gemstone metamaterial can be polar opposites of the gemstone base material.
  
−
Note that there's a grey zone between compounds and metamaterials (e.g. compounds including vacancies distributed in a checkerboard pattern). One could call these low level metamaterials. A short note on low level diamondoid metamaterials can be found on the page describing [[diamondoid|diamondoid materials]].
+
For instance: The base materials usually have gemstone properties but a metamaterial made from these base materials can behave like rubber for human perception. The them "gem-gum technology" sometimes used here on this wiki refers to that fact.
  
−
The definition for metamaterials today is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metamaterial according to wikipedia] a bit different but this term still is fitting best here.
+
Since there is a hyper-gigantic space of possible structurings there's an equally sized space of novel (mechanical) material properties that range from simple improvements over uncommon/unfamiliar material properties to outright alien stuff.
  
−
[[Utility fog]] could be considered a very complex high level metamaterial but its the most general unspecialised one. Much simpler specialised ones will do better for specific applications (e.g. street pavings).
+
= Countering resource scarcity =
  
−
= robustness of AP microscale machine systems =
+
The wide range of material properties is achievable with just one (or a few) [[diamondoid]] base materials that contain just one (or a few) [[abundant elements]]. Thus gem-gum Technology has the potential to solve large parts of today's (2016) looming civilization problem of [[resource scarcity]].
  
−
* Natural background [[radiation damage|radiation]] won't hit a small part of a system for decades on average. Bigger systems can retain functionality reliably through [[redundancy]].
+
Specifically advanced [[emulated elasticity|elasticity emulating]] gemstone based metamaterials (gem-gum) makes [[mining]] after less abundant alloying metals for the most part unnecessary.
−
* The digital nature of AP building blocks (copies have completely identical bond topology) makes them self correct their alignment in spite of thermal expansion. This allows for highly scalable system design. The same can be seen in digital electronics mechanical flaws up to 5% in length of chip structures and similar electrical flaws in voltage are self correcting.
+
−
* '''Effect of lack of defects - diaomond gum:''' <br> Substances that are normally very brittle can take enormous strain (in the two digit perecent range) when they're completely free of defects. With APM making completely defect free microscopic parts is easy. When those microscopic parts are combined back together in a smart way that prevents crack propagation (e.g. with interlocking shapes) this property can be retained into the macroscopic size range. See "[[emulated elasticity]]" for more details.
+
  
−
= List of new materials / base technologies  =
+
__TOC__
  
−
The set of here presented meta-materials seems less speculative and more incomplete than the list of applications on the [[further improvement at technology level III|products page]].
+
= Gemstone based metamaterials as foundation for advanced atomically precise gem-gum Products =
−
It is sorted by design/programming effort which is rather subjective and subject to debate.
+
  
−
== low effort ==
+
Diamondoid metameterials form '''the necessary basis''' for the yet speculative [[further improvement at technology level III|advanced applications]] of [[technology level III|the goal technology level]].<br>
 +
These highly complex applications will only become possible through the smart combination of the set of newly available metamaterials with novel properties.
  
−
* simple standard macro [[diamondoid structural meta materials]]
+
For a list of potentially possible gemstone based metamaterial go to the <br>
−
* molecular filters
+
'''main article: "[[List of potential gemstone based metamaterials]]"'''
−
* macroscopic [[infinitesimal bearings|super-bearings]] (one can only see a speed gradient)<br>
+
−
* anisotropic material properties (e.g. scissoring mechanisms material)
+
−
* data storage material and the like
+
  
−
== medium effort  ==
+
= Tensile strength =
  
−
*[[artificial motor-muscles|artificial muscles]] with higher power densities than todays combustion engines. They can '''replace''' todays (2014) electrical motors that often use '''the not too abundant/accessible rare earth elements'''.
+
A gemstone based metamaterials tensile strength cannot exceed the tensile strength of the (flawless) base material.
−
*absolutely silent (macro motionless) pumps a [[medium movers|"pumping material"]] with no movable parts which are visible to the naked eye.
+
Thus for more demanding applications a good base material with decent tensile strength may be preferable over something that is weaker but better degrading.
−
*[[energy storage cells|cells]] for the direct conversion from mechanical to chemical energy and vice versa ([[chemomechanical converters]]).
+
−
*super-fast shearing [[stratified shearing valves|valves]]
+
−
*material structuring into [[microcomponents]] for recycling and recomposition
+
−
* structures borrowed from [[origami]] techniques
+
−
* [[tensegrity]] structures.
+
−
* [[color emulation|emulated color]] -- local control makes that a display, light emitting systems might be more heterogenous (lasers?)
+
−
* transformer metamaterials: [[mechanical pulse width modulation|purely mechanical pulse width modulation]]
+
  
−
== high effort  ==
+
Still in a gemstone based metamaterial the [[crystolecule]]s made out of this base material are (on average) flawless, while a big macroscopic thermodynamically grown (synthetic or natural) gemstone is not. Thus the metamaterials tensile strength actually ''can'' exceed the tensile strength of the base material in the flaw-rich gemstone form we can inspect today.
  
−
[[file:Custom stress strain curve 638x615.png |thumb|400px|'''Not to scale!''' Well designed nano to micro structure can create extraordinary mechanical material properties (graphic not to scale). Stress strain behaviour to order may be possible (in bounds). [http://apm.bplaced.net/w/images/e/ed/Custom_stress_strain_curve.svg SVG] ]]
+
= Robustness of AP microscale machine systems =
  
−
*"elastic diamond" (made possible through the implementation as a semi active [[metamaterial]])
+
* Natural background [[radiation damage|radiation]] won't hit a small part of a system for decades on average. Bigger systems can retain functionality reliably through [[redundancy]].
−
* maximizing emulated toughness ("beefy" that is much volume occupying dissipation elements are needed - how far can be gone with [[thermal energy transmission|active high power cooling]] ?)
+
* The digital nature of AP building blocks (copies have completely identical bond topology) makes them self correct their alignment in spite of thermal expansion. This allows for highly scalable system design. The same can be seen in digital electronics mechanical flaws up to 5% in length of chip structures and similar electrical flaws in voltage are self correcting.
−
* materials with choosable / adjustable [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stress%E2%80%93strain_curve stress-strain diagram] ([[emulated elasticity|emulated elastoplasticity]])
+
* '''Effect of lack of defects - diamond gum:''' <br> Substances that are normally very brittle can take enormous strain (in the two digit percent range) when they're completely free of defects. With APM making completely defect free microscopic parts is easy. When those microscopic parts are combined back together in a smart way that prevents crack propagation (e.g. with interlocking shapes) this property can be retained into the macroscopic size range. See "[[emulated elasticity]]" for more details.
−
*actively self cleaning surfaces (no "stupid" lotus effect meant here) ([[macroscopic shell cleaning]])
+
 
−
*[[self repairing systems|self repairing]] materials and self repairing macroscopic machine parts - no decay through weather or root growth.
+
Related: [[Acceleration tolerance]]
−
* combinations of several metamaterial properties that don't get too well together
+
−
* .... and many more
+
  
 
= The limits of metamaterials =
 
= The limits of metamaterials =
Line 62: Line 60:
 
Examples for this are:
 
Examples for this are:
  
−
* non polarising optical transparency of thick plates is incompatible to isotropic electric conductivity
+
* non polarizing optical transparency of thick plates is incompatible to isotropic electric conductivity <br>{{todo|check in how far that is true}}
−
* very high [[thermal isolation]] conflicts with very high compressive material strength
+
* very high [[thermal isolation]] conflicts with very high compressive material strength <br> macroscale layerd designs are a straighrforward workaround though. (E.g. needed for Venus surface probes.)
  
−
= Amount of usage of different types of metamaterials =
+
= Gemstone metamaterial ≠ utility fog !! =  
  
−
Due to the very high power densities ([[Mechanical energy transmission cables|see here]]) that can be handled with diamondoid metamaterials
+
(Specialized diamondoid metamaterials - vs - general purpose [[utility fog]])
 +
 
 +
[[Utility fog]] could be considered a very complex high level metamaterial that [[elasticity emulation|emulates elasticity]] (and more).
 +
But since it has the maximum possible degree of general purpose capabilities it is not optimized for any specific purpose.
 +
 
 +
Instead of going the general purpose route which takes high design effort.
 +
One can:
 +
* use diamondoid metamaterials that are much simpler to design (and maybe simpler to build too)
 +
* introduce complexity instead to highly optimize for one specific application (e.g. street pavings, [[medium movers]], ...).
 +
* do something in-between those two extremes
 +
 
 +
= When sharp borders between base-material and metamaterial blur =
 +
 
 +
(diamondoid metamaterials - vs - diamondoid compounds)
 +
 
 +
Note that there is a grey zone between [[diamondoid compound]]s and diamondoid metamaterials where it might not be 100% clear in which class they belong.
 +
In this grey zone there live e.g. compounds that including vacancies that are distributed in a checkerboard pattern.
 +
Is this just a different crystal structure (another polymorph or [[neo-polymorph]] in an [[pseudo phase diagram]]) or just a metamaterial.
 +
 
 +
One could call these cases low level metamaterials.
 +
A short note on low level diamondoid metamaterials can be found on the page describing [[diamondoid|diamondoid materials]].
 +
 
 +
= When sharp borders between active nanomachinery and metamaterial blur =
 +
 
 +
There are many many very complex nanomachinery systems that
 +
go beyond passive ans simple structures.
 +
It is unclear at which pouint calling these metamaterials
 +
no longer makes sense.
 +
Examples:
 +
* [[chemomechanical converter]]s and other energy converters
 +
* [[muscle motor]]s
 +
* [[medium movers]]
 +
* [[infinitesimal bearings]]
 +
* More complex [[elasticity emulation]] with [[chemospring]]s
 +
 
 +
= Lopsided volume ratio in metamaterial type usage =
 +
 
 +
Due to the very high power densities ([[Mechanical energy transmission cables|see here]]) that can be handled with diamondoid metamaterials,
 
metamaterials for energy conversion (motors/generators) and transmission (infinitesimal bearings,...) will in most cases only take up a small fraction of a products volume.
 
metamaterials for energy conversion (motors/generators) and transmission (infinitesimal bearings,...) will in most cases only take up a small fraction of a products volume.
−
Leaving space for simpler design, more other functionality (e.g. datastorage) or allowing for [[diamondoid balloon products|higly collapsible design]] that get their shape by inflation with pressurized air.
+
Leaving space for simpler design, more other functionality (e.g. data-storage) or allowing for [[diamondoid balloon products|highly collapsible design]] that get their shape by inflation with pressurized air.<br>
 +
(Related:  mixing an meshing of various types of [[microcomponents]])
 +
 
 +
= Examples =
 +
 
 +
== Elasticity emulating gemstone based metamaterials ==
 +
 
 +
When one connects [[microcomponents]] in advanced nontrivial ways to create a metamaterial
 +
that is capable of [[elasticity emulation|emulation of elasticity]],
 +
then one has reached the point where mechanical metamaterials really begin.
 +
 
 +
Note: This '''must not be confused''' with [[utility fog]] (which targets ultra general purpose capabilities at the expense of performance).
 +
 
 +
With [[elasticity emulation]] the [[nanoscale unbreakability properties]] of [[crystolecule]]s (and microcomponents)
 +
are to a degree lifted up all the way to the macroscale.
 +
 
 +
This gives cheap materials with ...
 +
* enormous toughness lying way beyond all metallic alloys in existence and ...
 +
* unlike most metals corrosion resistance is at the level of the base material: the chosen gemstone.
 +
Getting well designed gem-gum materials to chip of small splinters (e.g. attack by hardened saw-blade) will probably be almost impossible.
 +
 
 +
Note that this combination of material properties has not only positive sides though. Two obvious concerns are:
 +
* Degradability is often a desired property. There are lots of gemstones that do degrade though (e.g. periclase MgO is slightly water soluble) so it's a matter of choosing the right material for the right application.
 +
* Military misuse.
 +
 
 +
= Notes =
 +
 
 +
Advanced gemstone based products of [[productive nanosystems]] can be either be
 +
* small scale reversibly recomposable or
 +
* large scale monolithic
 +
Which of the two it is depends on the specific design of the nanofactory. <br>
 +
Nanofactories capable of making monolithic designs seem
 +
* harder to design and
 +
* maybe less desirable
 +
Less desirable because they are less frienldy for reuse and [[recycling]]. <br>
 +
Harder because they'd require large open [[PPV]] vacuum volumes (or some exotic sealing strategies). <br>
 +
See: [[vacuum handling]]
 +
 
 +
Small scale reversible recomposability requires  <br>
 +
that [[crystolecule]]s are not irreversibly [[seamless covalent welding|welded]] together beyond a certain scale. <br>
 +
E.g. not beyond the scale of [[microcomponent]]s.
 +
 
 +
Wikipedia's older definitions for metamaterials in (2014) did not mention mechanical metamaterials. <br>
 +
As of (2016) mechanical metamaterials seem to gain more attention. <br>
 +
A short section about them (structural metamaterials) has been added. <br>
 +
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metamaterial according to wikipedia]
 +
 
 +
= Related =
 +
 
 +
* '''[[Levels of metamaterials]]'''
 +
* '''[[Digital control over matter]]'''
 +
* [[The defining traits of gem-gum-tec]]
 +
* [[Stiffness]]
 +
* [[Superelasticity]]
 +
* [[High pressure]]
 +
* [[Natural color of gem-gum products]]
 +
* '''[[Metamaterial]]''' more generally
 +
* '''[[Mechanical metamaterial]]'''
 +
* [[Low level gemstone metamaterial]]
 +
* [[Reasons for APM]] – There's a section about "new materials" and how it leads to problem solving opportunities.
 +
* [[Likely visual appearance of gem-gum products]]
 +
 
 +
= External links =
 +
 
 +
Diamondoid metamaterials allows to reach spots in the Ashby plot (density vs tensile strength) that are not accessible by non AP means of production.
 +
* Pictures of Ashby plots on wikimedia commons: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ashby_plot_big.jpg saturated-pixelgraphic]; [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Material-comparison--strength-vs-density_plain.svg vectorgraphic]; [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Figure_3_-_Ashby_chart_with_performance_indices_plotted_for_maximum_result.PNG a scan of a detailed version]
 +
* Wikipedia(en): [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Material_selection#Selecting_the_best_material_overall Selecting the best material overall]
 +
* Wikipedia(de): [https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spezifische_Festigkeit Spezifische Festigkeit]
  
 
[[Category:Technology level III]]
 
[[Category:Technology level III]]
 
[[Category:Site specific definitions]]
 
[[Category:Site specific definitions]]

Latest revision as of 18:30, 18 October 2024

This article defines a novel term (that is hopefully sensibly chosen). The term is introduced to make a concept more concrete and understand its interrelationship with other topics related to atomically precise manufacturing. For details go to the page: Neologism. 
Simply by nanostructuring abundant elements they can (in the vast majority of cases)
replace the scarce elements that are needed today.
In fact the one single element carbon alone is sufficient to replace almost all other materials.
...

tougher than metals
and simultaneously
transparent like glass
(only one example of many)

...

The topic here are the base materials for all the products of gem-gum technology.

Diamondoid metamaterials can be made to emulate any desired appearance. But if one does not care and the surface structures are in the size range of the wavelength of visible light they're likely to exhibit iridescent appearance. Furthermore some simple metamaterials (e.g. VdW solids) can be brittle but this may not be desirable thus more effort in metamaterial engineering must be invested.(image source: Casshern Sins 27)
Artistic illustration of a gemstone based mechanical metamaterial that features emulated elasticity. This may be based on moissanite and thus highly temperature resistant (refractory). Very unlike any kind of rubber in existence 2022.
Red space of metamaterials is quite systematically exhaustible. The grey space may be bigger even, yes, but it is very hard to reach in a one-off non-systematic lucky discovery fashion only. To give a weird analogy: Like we know much fewer real numbers beyond the rationals than we know rationals numbers despite there being much more of the former.

Definition

A gemstone based metamaterial (or diamondoid metamaterial or gem-gum for short):

  • 1) consists out of one (or a few) gemstone like base materials
    that means compounds that are suitable for advanced atomically precise technology
  • 2) has a for the human senses imperceptibly small structuring.
    This structuring is usually formed by complexly interlocking crystolecules and microcomponents.
  • 3) optional: Has somehow interlocking crystolecules or microcomponents with some sort of mechanical function (bearing interfaces present and critical for function). This third point is only added here to delineate more clearly (high level) gemstone based metamaterials from low level gemstone metamaterials.

The structuring gives the resulting material properties that are not native to the base material. In fact the properties of the gemstone metamaterial can be polar opposites of the gemstone base material.

For instance: The base materials usually have gemstone properties but a metamaterial made from these base materials can behave like rubber for human perception. The them "gem-gum technology" sometimes used here on this wiki refers to that fact.

Since there is a hyper-gigantic space of possible structurings there's an equally sized space of novel (mechanical) material properties that range from simple improvements over uncommon/unfamiliar material properties to outright alien stuff.

Countering resource scarcity

The wide range of material properties is achievable with just one (or a few) diamondoid base materials that contain just one (or a few) abundant elements. Thus gem-gum Technology has the potential to solve large parts of today's (2016) looming civilization problem of resource scarcity.

Specifically advanced elasticity emulating gemstone based metamaterials (gem-gum) makes mining after less abundant alloying metals for the most part unnecessary.

Gemstone based metamaterials as foundation for advanced atomically precise gem-gum Products

Diamondoid metameterials form the necessary basis for the yet speculative advanced applications of the goal technology level.
These highly complex applications will only become possible through the smart combination of the set of newly available metamaterials with novel properties.

For a list of potentially possible gemstone based metamaterial go to the
main article: "List of potential gemstone based metamaterials"

Tensile strength

A gemstone based metamaterials tensile strength cannot exceed the tensile strength of the (flawless) base material. Thus for more demanding applications a good base material with decent tensile strength may be preferable over something that is weaker but better degrading.

Still in a gemstone based metamaterial the crystolecules made out of this base material are (on average) flawless, while a big macroscopic thermodynamically grown (synthetic or natural) gemstone is not. Thus the metamaterials tensile strength actually can exceed the tensile strength of the base material in the flaw-rich gemstone form we can inspect today.

Robustness of AP microscale machine systems

  • Natural background radiation won't hit a small part of a system for decades on average. Bigger systems can retain functionality reliably through redundancy.
  • The digital nature of AP building blocks (copies have completely identical bond topology) makes them self correct their alignment in spite of thermal expansion. This allows for highly scalable system design. The same can be seen in digital electronics mechanical flaws up to 5% in length of chip structures and similar electrical flaws in voltage are self correcting.
  • Effect of lack of defects - diamond gum:
    Substances that are normally very brittle can take enormous strain (in the two digit percent range) when they're completely free of defects. With APM making completely defect free microscopic parts is easy. When those microscopic parts are combined back together in a smart way that prevents crack propagation (e.g. with interlocking shapes) this property can be retained into the macroscopic size range. See "emulated elasticity" for more details.

Related: Acceleration tolerance

The limits of metamaterials

Some combinations of material properties are just not permitted by physical law and can thus not or only to a small degree emulated by metamaterials.
Examples for this are:

  • non polarizing optical transparency of thick plates is incompatible to isotropic electric conductivity
    (TODO: check in how far that is true)
  • very high thermal isolation conflicts with very high compressive material strength
    macroscale layerd designs are a straighrforward workaround though. (E.g. needed for Venus surface probes.)

Gemstone metamaterial ≠ utility fog !!

(Specialized diamondoid metamaterials - vs - general purpose utility fog)

Utility fog could be considered a very complex high level metamaterial that emulates elasticity (and more). But since it has the maximum possible degree of general purpose capabilities it is not optimized for any specific purpose.

Instead of going the general purpose route which takes high design effort. One can:

  • use diamondoid metamaterials that are much simpler to design (and maybe simpler to build too)
  • introduce complexity instead to highly optimize for one specific application (e.g. street pavings, medium movers, ...).
  • do something in-between those two extremes

When sharp borders between base-material and metamaterial blur

(diamondoid metamaterials - vs - diamondoid compounds)

Note that there is a grey zone between diamondoid compounds and diamondoid metamaterials where it might not be 100% clear in which class they belong. In this grey zone there live e.g. compounds that including vacancies that are distributed in a checkerboard pattern. Is this just a different crystal structure (another polymorph or neo-polymorph in an pseudo phase diagram) or just a metamaterial.

One could call these cases low level metamaterials. A short note on low level diamondoid metamaterials can be found on the page describing diamondoid materials.

When sharp borders between active nanomachinery and metamaterial blur

There are many many very complex nanomachinery systems that go beyond passive ans simple structures. It is unclear at which pouint calling these metamaterials no longer makes sense. Examples:

Lopsided volume ratio in metamaterial type usage

Due to the very high power densities (see here) that can be handled with diamondoid metamaterials, metamaterials for energy conversion (motors/generators) and transmission (infinitesimal bearings,...) will in most cases only take up a small fraction of a products volume. Leaving space for simpler design, more other functionality (e.g. data-storage) or allowing for highly collapsible design that get their shape by inflation with pressurized air.
(Related: mixing an meshing of various types of microcomponents)

Examples

Elasticity emulating gemstone based metamaterials

When one connects microcomponents in advanced nontrivial ways to create a metamaterial that is capable of emulation of elasticity, then one has reached the point where mechanical metamaterials really begin.

Note: This must not be confused with utility fog (which targets ultra general purpose capabilities at the expense of performance).

With elasticity emulation the nanoscale unbreakability properties of crystolecules (and microcomponents) are to a degree lifted up all the way to the macroscale.

This gives cheap materials with ...

  • enormous toughness lying way beyond all metallic alloys in existence and ...
  • unlike most metals corrosion resistance is at the level of the base material: the chosen gemstone.

Getting well designed gem-gum materials to chip of small splinters (e.g. attack by hardened saw-blade) will probably be almost impossible.

Note that this combination of material properties has not only positive sides though. Two obvious concerns are:

  • Degradability is often a desired property. There are lots of gemstones that do degrade though (e.g. periclase MgO is slightly water soluble) so it's a matter of choosing the right material for the right application.
  • Military misuse.

Notes

Advanced gemstone based products of productive nanosystems can be either be

  • small scale reversibly recomposable or
  • large scale monolithic

Which of the two it is depends on the specific design of the nanofactory.
Nanofactories capable of making monolithic designs seem

  • harder to design and
  • maybe less desirable

Less desirable because they are less frienldy for reuse and recycling.
Harder because they'd require large open PPV vacuum volumes (or some exotic sealing strategies).
See: vacuum handling

Small scale reversible recomposability requires
that crystolecules are not irreversibly welded together beyond a certain scale.
E.g. not beyond the scale of microcomponents.

Wikipedia's older definitions for metamaterials in (2014) did not mention mechanical metamaterials.
As of (2016) mechanical metamaterials seem to gain more attention.
A short section about them (structural metamaterials) has been added.
according to wikipedia

Related

External links

Diamondoid metamaterials allows to reach spots in the Ashby plot (density vs tensile strength) that are not accessible by non AP means of production.

Retrieved from "http://apm.bplaced.net/w/index.php?title=Gemstone_based_metamaterial&oldid=16871"