Difference between revisions of "Gemstone-like molecular element"

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'''Diamondoid molecular elements''' (DMEs) are '''[//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structural_element structural elements] or [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_element machine elements] at the lower physical size limit'''. They are produced via [[mechanosynthesis]] and are often are highly symetrical.
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[[File:Tetrapod-openconnects display large square.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Here is a rather small structural [[diamondoid]] [[crystolecule]] with some bonds (brighter red) intentionally left [[Nanoscale surface passivation|open/dangling/unpassivated]]. A [[crystolecule fragment]]. Such [[surface interface]]s can be fused together via [[seamless covalent welding]] in the [[second assembly level]] and perhaps higher assembly levels.]]
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Since '''metals are unsuitable''' (they lack directed bonds and tend to [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_diffusion diffuse]) [[diamondoid]] materials must be used.
+
  
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* DM machine elements (DMMEs) ([http://www.zyvex.com/nanotech/visuals.html examples]) like bearigs and gears have completely passivated surfaces.
+
[[File:atomistic acetylene sorting pump model.jpg|frame|A proposed [[acetylene sorting pump]]. This is a larger [[diamondoid machine element]] (DME). Possibly assembled from several pre-produced smaller [[diamondoid crystolecule]]s. The frame is one big monolithic crystolecule (it may be fused togehter via [[seamless covalent welding]] during assembly). Other parts are smaller independent crystolecules that may be [[piezochemical mechanosynthesis|mechanosynthesized]] fully passivated as a whole and integrated as a whole without any seamless welding.]]
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* DM structural elements (DMSEs) ([http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:13786 example]) are minimally sized structural building blocks that are only partially passivated. They expose multiple radicals on some of their surfaces that act as [[atomic precision|AP]] [[surface interfaces|welding interfaces]] to complementary surfaces. The step of connecting [[surface interfaces]] is done in [[assembly levels|assembly level II]] and is irreversible.
+
  
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'''Name suggestion:''' since DMEs are somewhat of a cross between crystals and molecules why not call them '''"crystolecules"'''
+
'''Gemstone-like molecular elements''' (GMEs) here also called '''crystolecules''' are parts of machine elements and structural elements at the lowermost physical size limit.
 +
They are produced via [[piezochemical mechanosynthesis]] and are often highly symmetrical.
 +
Gemstone-like molecular elements are the basic building blocks in [[gemstone metamaterial technology]].
  
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*    DME ... Diamodoid Molecular Element (stiff - small - minimal)
+
= Base material =
−
*    DMME ... D.M. Machine Element
+
−
*    DMSE ... D.M. Structural Element
+
  
−
= Diamondoid molecular machine elements =
+
[[Gemstone-like compounds]] are the most suitable base material for crystolecules.
 +
Beside classical gemstones like diamond other semi-precious minerals including bio-minerals that are synthesizable in solution also fall under gemstone-like compounds.
 +
These may be accessible earlier in [[technology level II|semi advanced]] precursor technologies.
  
−
Images of some [http://www.zyvex.com/nanotech/visuals.html examples].
+
Use of [[pure metals and metal alloys]] is rather unsuitable for crystolecules.
 +
* Metallic bonds with free electron gas are not directed like covalent bonds.
 +
* Metal atoms on metal surfaces tend to [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_diffusion diffuse] away from where they have been deposited. Especially on surfaces.
  
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== Types ==
+
Crystolecules are:
 +
* assembled from small [[molecule fragments]] – in the [[Assembly level 1 (gem-gum factory)|first assembly level]] – typically mostly irreversible
 +
* assembled to bigger [[crystolecular unit]]s – in the [[Assembly level 2 (gem-gum factory)|second assembly level]] – typically partially irreversible
  
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=== Bearings  ===
+
'''Given their nanoscale gemstone like nature unfortunately crystolecules and their assemblies [[crystollecular element|crystollecular (machine) elements]] cannot be produced yet (state 2015..2021).'''
  
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DMME bearings exhibit [[superlubrication|superlubrication]]. In the case of [[diamondoid]] rotative bearings this looks like described here: [http://e-drexler.com/p/04/02/0315bearingSums.html E.Drexler's blog: Symmetric molecular bearings can exhibit low energy barriers that are insensitive to details of the potential energy function].
+
A subclass of [[gemstone-like compounds]] are [[diamond like compounds]]. (For a disambiguation see: [[Diamondoid]]) <br>
 +
Accordingly a subclass of [[gemstone-like molecular element]]s are [[diamondoid molecular element]]s.
 +
* '''[[Diamondoid molecular machine element]]s''' (DMMEs) are assemblies of some diamondoid crystolecules implementing one specific mechanical function
 +
* '''[[Diamondoid molecular structural element]]s''' (DMSEs) are crystolecules or assemblies of some diamondoid crystolecules implementing a structural function
  
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The occurring friction is orders of magnitude lower than the one occurring when liquid lubricants are used in macro ore microscopic (non [[atomic precision|AP]]) bearings [http://e-drexler.com/p/04/03/0322drags.html E.Drexler's blog: Phonon drag in sleeve bearings can be orders of magnitude smaller than viscous drag in liquids].
+
= Beware of the stroboscopic illusion =
  
−
DMME bearings can be built such that the force between bearing and axle is anti-compressive further lowering dynamic drag but also lowering stiffness possibly down to zero. [http://e-drexler.com/p/04/03/0322nonrepulsive.html E.Drexler's blog: Bearings can be stable despite attractive interactions between their surfaces]
+
{| class="wikitable floatright" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: 0px;"
 +
|-
 +
|'''well animated bearing''' <br> The fast thermal vibrations are more realistically blurred out. The remaining localized periodic average deformations (visible here if one looks closely) are highly reversible. (See page abbout "[[superlubrication]]".)
 +
|'''badly animated bearing''' <br> The present stroboscopic effect can be misleading in that friction is likely to be grossly overestimated. It deceivingly looks like as if the operating speed would be close to the speed of the thermal vibration. If that where the case it indeed would cause massive friction (strong coupling of motions with similar frequency).
 +
|-
 +
| [[File:SmallBearingSmoothAnimation.gif|right|DMME - bearing with blurred out fast vibrations]]
 +
|[[File:SmallBearingStrobeAnimation.gif|right|DMME - bearing with misleading stroboscopic effect]]
 +
|}
  
−
If badly chosen the combined symmetry of bearing and axle can create a bistable tristable or an other low symmetry configuration. This should usually be avoided. Some symmetry considerations can be found here: [http://www.zyvex.com/nanotech/bearingProof.html Zyvex; Ralph C. Merkle: A Proof About Molecular Bearings].
+
'''Simulated DMEs often show a misleading stroboscopic effect''' which can make one believe that the operation frequencies lie near the thermal frequencies, giving the false impression of enormously high friction but actually the contrary is true. <br>
 +
See: "[[Friction in gem-gum technology]]" and "[[Superlubrication]]".
  
−
A tutorial on bearing design can be found here: [http://www.somewhereville.com/?p=82 A Low-Friction Molecular Bearing Assembly Tutorial, v1]
+
Gemstone like molecular machine elements with sliding interfaces will work exceptionally well. (See: [[Superlubricity]]) <br>
 +
There is both experimental evidence and theoretical evidence for that. <br>
 +
(See e.g.: [[Evaluating the Friction of Rotary Joints in Molecular Machines (paper)]] and the friction analysis in [[Nanosystems]])
  
−
=== Friction elements ===
+
= Nomenclature =
  
−
=== Gears ===
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Since the here described physical objects have no official name yet (2016..2021) <br>
 +
something sensible must be invented to refer to them in this wiki.
  
−
Single rows of protruding atoms can be used as gear teeth.
+
= "Crystolecules" – Term introduction and definition =
−
Considerations about stiffness as in [[superlubrication]] for DMME bearings are relevant [''more details needed''].
+
−
A simple pair of inter-meshing straight bevel-gears have higher bumpiness than well designed DMME bearings.
+
−
This can be reduced by making the gears helical. '''Example designs are needed'''.
+
−
Using more than one row for a gear tooth will lead to more "bumpiness" but also potentially higher transmittable torque. Further '''investigation needed'''
+
  
−
=== Fasteners  ===
+
These objects are somewhat of a cross between a crystal and a molecule. <br>
−
Details can be found on the [[locking mechanisms]] page. <br>
+
So let's use the term '''"crystolecule"'''. <br>
−
Enclosed radicals could be used to make very compact reversible connectors (name suggestion: ''covaconns'' - for covalent connectors)
+
This is nice because it's:
 +
* quite accurate in descriptiveness
 +
* quite conveniently usable in natural language
 +
* quite memorably (catchy) because it seems unusual (clickbait effect)
  
−
* expanding ridge joint
+
Specificall lets use the term "crystolecule" for ones that are typically are:
 +
* small – stiff – minimal
 +
* structural
 +
* monolithic (like illustrated)
 +
* do (typically) not yet feature irreversibly enclosed moving parts – (no [[form closure]] yet – there may be exceptions)
 +
* are assembled purely at the first assembly level by [[piezochemical mechanosynthesis]] (direct [[in place assembly]])
  
−
=== Others  ===
+
= Crystolecular units =
  
−
[Todo: gears, pumps, telescoptc rods .... DME issues lack of ball curvature & DMSEs?]
+
'''See main page: [[Crystolecular unit]]'''
  
−
== Sets ==
+
These are bigger assemblies of basic structural crystolecules. <br>
 +
Assembled from crystolecules either via [[seamless covalent welding]] or [[Van der Waals force sticking]] and/or [[shape closing interlocking]]
  
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=== Minimal set of compatible DMMEs  ===
+
Let's use a different name for crystolecules or assemblies of crystolecules that are typically:
 +
* a bit bigger
 +
* also functional in nature not just structural
 +
* not monolithic
 +
* do feature irreversibly enclosed moving parts
 +
* may involve pick and place post assembly (from constituent crystolecules) at the next higher assembly level
  
−
In electric circuits there is one topological and three kinds of basic passive elements.<br>
+
Generally crystolecules and [[crystolecular unit]]s will be made from [[gemstone like compound]]s. <br>
−
Adding an active switching element one can create a great class of circuits. <br>
+
One subclass already investigated a bit in molecular detail are the [[crystolecular unit]]s made from [[diamondoid like compound]].
−
'''0) fork node; 1) capacitors; 2) inductors; 3) resistors'''
+
Specifically some ones made from [[diamond]] and [[moissanite]] where investigated.
 +
See: '''[[Examples of diamondoid molecular machine elements]].'''
  
−
Those passive elements have a direct correspondences in rotative or reciprocating mechanics namely: <br>
+
== Diamondoid molecular (structural and machine) elements – Term introduction and definition ==
−
'''0) planetary or differential gearbox [*]; 1) springs; 2) inertial masses; 3) friction elements''' <br>
+
−
[*] and analogons for reciprocating mechanics
+
  
−
But there are limits to the electric-mechanic analogy. Some mechanic elements often differ significantly from their electric counterparts in their qualitative behavior.
+
Let's use:
−
Two examples of elements quite different in behaviour are:
+
* Diamondoid molecular structural elements (DM'''S'''Es) for structural ones of all sizes including beside small ones also bigger ones
−
* transistors & locking pins
+
* Diamondoid molecular machine elements (DM'''M'''Es) for functional ones that are typically bigger in size
−
* transformers & gearboxes
+
* Diamondoid molecular elements (DMEs) for structures of all sized including both of the former
 +
* ("Diamondoid" can be replaced by "Gemoid" to include more general gemstone like compounds like e.g. [[sapphire]])
  
−
With creating a set of standard sizes of those elements and a modular building block system to put them together
+
Examples:
−
creating rather complex systems can be done in a much shorter time. <br>
+
* On this wiki: [[Examples of diamondoid molecular machine elements]]
−
Like in electronics one can first create a schematics and subsequently the board.
+
* (DM'''M'''Es) ([http://www.zyvex.com/nanotech/visuals.html examples]) like e.g. bearings and gears have completely passivated surfaces.
−
+
* (DM'''S'''Es) ([http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:13786 example]) these are typically only partially passivated. They can expose multiple radicals on some of their surfaces that act as [[positional atomic precision|AP]] [[surface interfaces|welding interfaces]] to complementary surfaces. The assembly step of connecting [[surface interfaces]] is here called "[[seamless covalent welding]]" and is done in the next higher assembly level ([[assembly levels|assembly level II]]?). [[Seamless covalent welding]] it usually is irreversible but sparsely linking versions may be reversible.
−
'''To do:''' Create a minimal set of minimal sized DMMEs for rotative nanomechanics.
+
−
Modular housing structures standard bearings and standard axle redirectioning are also needed.
+
  
−
'''To investigate:''' how can reciprocating mechanics be implemented considereng the [[passivation bending issue]]
+
== Delineation – what crystolecules must not be confused with ==
  
−
= Diamondoid molecular structural elements =
+
Crystolecules must not be confused with crystals out of folded up polypeptide molecules aka proteins (that are made today to find the locations of their constituent atoms). <br>To emphasize the distinction one could use the term "covalent crystolecules".
  
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[[File:Wiki-tetrapod-openconnects-black-135.png|frame| An example of a diamondoid molecular structural element (DMSE). The bright red spots are open bonds.]]
+
= Related =
  
−
==sets==
+
* '''[[Terminology for parts]]'''
−
 
+
* For components at different size scales see: [[Components]]
−
* standardized building block systems
+
* [[Stroboscopic illusion in crystolecule animations]]
−
* housing structures
+
* [[Example crystolecules]]
−
* standard corner pieces connecting the various crystallographic planes
+
* [[nanoparticle]]s
−
* in edge passivation with hydrogen can be problematic
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* [[In place assembly]]
−
* issue of non androgynous [[surface interfaces|sinterfaces]]
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* putting molecule-fragments together to crystolecules [[Mechanosynthesis core]]
−
 
+
* putting crystolecules together to microcomponents [[Crystolecule assembly robotics]]
−
= General properties of DMEs =
+
-----
−
 
+
* [[Mechanical circuit element]]s
−
DMEs with carbon, silicon carbide or silicon as core material can be can have internal structure like
+
-----
−
* diamond / [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonsdaleite lonsdaleite]
+
Terms for bigger assemblies of several [[crystolecules]] but not yet as big (and disassemblable) as [[microcomponents]]
−
* or other possibly strained [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sp3_bond#sp3_hybrids sp<sup>3</sup>] configurations.
+
* [[Diamondoid crystolecular machine element]] – diamond like structure – See: [[Diamondoid]]
−
Due to the lack of defects the [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_tensile_strength ultimate tensile strength] of larger DMEs lies above diamond of thermodynamic origin.
+
* [[Crystolecular machine element]] – more general gemstone like structure – See: [[gemstone like compound]]
−
 
+
-----
−
== Forces from compressive and tensile stresses  ==
+
* assembled from [[molecule fragments]]
−
 
+
* assembled to [[crystolecular element]]s
−
It can be helpful or at least satisfying to get something of an '''intuitive understanding for the consistence or "feel" of DME components'''.
+
* assembly is typically irreversible
−
 
+
−
As the size of a rod of any material shrinks linearly (in all three dimensions) the area of the cross section shrinks quadratically.
+
−
Consequently when keeping tension/compression stress constant the forces fall quadratically and one arrives at very low forces.
+
−
'''[Sacling law: longitudinal force ~ length^2]'''
+
−
This can be seen nicely in the low seeming inter-atomic spring constants.
+
−
E.g. the equilibrium position spring constant of an bond in diamond (sp3 carbon-carbon-bond) is about 440nN/nm or 0.44daN/cm (1daN~1kg).
+
−
 
+
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In order to get a feel for these forces one can transform atomic spring constants unchanged to the macrocosm.
+
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This can be done by letting the number of parallel and serial bonds grow equally so that the changement of stiffness through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Series_and_parallel_springs serial and parallel] connection of bonds compensate.
+
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Here for convenience 10,000,000,000 bonds are assumed to be chained serially.
+
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We must apply this scaling to the number of parallel bonds too but here it divides up in each dimension of the cross-section sqrt(10^10) = 100,000.
+
−
With the diamond bond (C-C sp3) length of 1.532Amstrong and area per bond of 6.701Amstrong^2 = (2.59Amstrong)^2 one gets a diamond string (with square cross-section) of 1.532m length and 25.9um thickness side to side (half a hair) that retains the atomic spring constant of 440N/m or 0.44daN/cm (1daN~1kg)
+
−
If you bind up a half liter bottle of water with that (somewhat dangerous knife like) string it will bend around 1cm.
+
−
 
+
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Putting one end of the sting in a vacuum filled square piston that seals tightly shows how little effect everyday pressures have at the micro and nanocosmos.
+
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Taking 1bar = 10^5N/m^2 ambient pressure the string experiences a force of only 67.1µN and elongates 0.152µm an invisible amount.
+
−
 
+
−
'''Though''' as seen '''bonds are rather compliable DMEs are still hard diamond since''' [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardness hardness] is closely related to
+
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'''tensile and compressive stress''' which '''is scale invariant'''.
+
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The small force representation of high pressures might be a bit counterintuitive and hard to grasp.
+
−
 
+
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By making the compliance at the nanolevel experiencable
+
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the model with the weight on the ''one bond equivalent diamond string'' should make one (maybe obvious) '''practical thing''' clear.
+
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That '''it is very effective to focus forces'''.
+
−
 
+
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In [[mechanosynthesis]] conical tips can easily focus forces down to a more compliable size level. Not much of a size difference is needed.
+
−
Nanoscale manipulators in the [[machine phase]] can hold back on their supporting structures they're mounted to.
+
−
It is easy to create DMEs with high internal strains such as strained shell cylindrical structures, press fittings, structures under high tensile stress and more.
+
−
'''Great amounts of elastic energy can be stored''' (permanently or temporarily).
+
−
 
+
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Example of safely usable pressures from [[Nanosystems]] section 2.3.2.:
+
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Assuming ~1% strain the required stress is ~1% of diamonds young modulus.
+
−
10nN/nm^2 = 10GPa = 1000daN/mm^2 (1daN~1kg)
+
−
this is 20% of the tensile strength of macro-scale diamond with natural flaws.
+
−
Flawless [[mechanosynthesis|mechanosynthetically]] assembled diamond will be capable of handling more stress.
+
−
 
+
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[Todo: add info about shearing stress]
+
−
 
+
−
== Surfaces ==
+
−
 
+
−
When viewing the thickness of a surface as the distance from the point of maximally attractive VdW force to the point of equally repulsive VdW force (experienced by some probing tip) the thickness of the surface relative to the thickness of the diamondoid part is enormous.
+
−
This makes DMEs somewhat soft in compressibility but not all that much as can be guessed by the compressibility of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HOPG single crystalline graphite] which is a stack of graphene sheets.
+
−
 
+
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[Todo: add further relevant scaling laws & example calculation]
+
−
 
+
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== VdW sticking ==
+
−
 
+
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[Todo: add calculation of how much surface is needed to securely overcome the characteristic thermal energy  -- to locking mechanisms?? -- techlevel I related too ...]
+
−
 
+
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== Acceleration tolerance ==
+
−
 
+
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[Todo: add calculation of a block on a neck model]
+
  
 
= External links =
 
= External links =
  
 +
At K. Eric Drexlers website:
 +
* [http://e-drexler.com/p/04/02/0315bearingDiag.html A shaft in a sleeve can form a rotary bearing]
 +
* [http://e-drexler.com/p/04/03/0323bearingDesigns.html Sleeve bearings have been designed and modeled in atomic detail] (here shown minus the stroboscopic illusion)
 +
----
 +
* [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structural_element structural elements]
 +
* [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_element machine elements]
 
* [http://www.iberchip.net/iberchip2006/ponencias/86.pdf Design of Nanomachines using NanoEngineer-1]
 
* [http://www.iberchip.net/iberchip2006/ponencias/86.pdf Design of Nanomachines using NanoEngineer-1]
 +
* "Nanomachines: How the Videos Lie to Scientists" [https://web.archive.org/web/20160322114752/http://metamodern.com/2009/02/10/nanomachines-how-the-videos-lie-to-scientists/ (archive)] [http://metamodern.com/2009/02/10/nanomachines-how-the-videos-lie-to-scientists/ (old dead link)]
 +
* without stroboscopic illusion: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RosHyQUw5jI  Molecular dynamics simulation of small bearing design]
 +
* [http://www.somewhereville.com/?p=82 A Low-Friction Molecular Bearing Assembly Tutorial, v1]
 +
 +
[[Category:Technology level III]]

Latest revision as of 07:38, 3 July 2022

Here is a rather small structural diamondoid crystolecule with some bonds (brighter red) intentionally left open/dangling/unpassivated. A crystolecule fragment. Such surface interfaces can be fused together via seamless covalent welding in the second assembly level and perhaps higher assembly levels.
A proposed acetylene sorting pump. This is a larger diamondoid machine element (DME). Possibly assembled from several pre-produced smaller diamondoid crystolecules. The frame is one big monolithic crystolecule (it may be fused togehter via seamless covalent welding during assembly). Other parts are smaller independent crystolecules that may be mechanosynthesized fully passivated as a whole and integrated as a whole without any seamless welding.

Gemstone-like molecular elements (GMEs) here also called crystolecules are parts of machine elements and structural elements at the lowermost physical size limit. They are produced via piezochemical mechanosynthesis and are often highly symmetrical. Gemstone-like molecular elements are the basic building blocks in gemstone metamaterial technology.

Base material

Gemstone-like compounds are the most suitable base material for crystolecules. Beside classical gemstones like diamond other semi-precious minerals including bio-minerals that are synthesizable in solution also fall under gemstone-like compounds. These may be accessible earlier in semi advanced precursor technologies.

Use of pure metals and metal alloys is rather unsuitable for crystolecules.

  • Metallic bonds with free electron gas are not directed like covalent bonds.
  • Metal atoms on metal surfaces tend to diffuse away from where they have been deposited. Especially on surfaces.

Crystolecules are:

Given their nanoscale gemstone like nature unfortunately crystolecules and their assemblies crystollecular (machine) elements cannot be produced yet (state 2015..2021).

A subclass of gemstone-like compounds are diamond like compounds. (For a disambiguation see: Diamondoid)
Accordingly a subclass of gemstone-like molecular elements are diamondoid molecular elements.

Beware of the stroboscopic illusion

well animated bearing
The fast thermal vibrations are more realistically blurred out. The remaining localized periodic average deformations (visible here if one looks closely) are highly reversible. (See page abbout "superlubrication".) 		badly animated bearing
The present stroboscopic effect can be misleading in that friction is likely to be grossly overestimated. It deceivingly looks like as if the operating speed would be close to the speed of the thermal vibration. If that where the case it indeed would cause massive friction (strong coupling of motions with similar frequency).
DMME - bearing with blurred out fast vibrations
DMME - bearing with misleading stroboscopic effect

Simulated DMEs often show a misleading stroboscopic effect which can make one believe that the operation frequencies lie near the thermal frequencies, giving the false impression of enormously high friction but actually the contrary is true.
See: "Friction in gem-gum technology" and "Superlubrication".

Gemstone like molecular machine elements with sliding interfaces will work exceptionally well. (See: Superlubricity)
There is both experimental evidence and theoretical evidence for that.
(See e.g.: Evaluating the Friction of Rotary Joints in Molecular Machines (paper) and the friction analysis in Nanosystems)

Nomenclature

Since the here described physical objects have no official name yet (2016..2021)
something sensible must be invented to refer to them in this wiki.

"Crystolecules" – Term introduction and definition

These objects are somewhat of a cross between a crystal and a molecule.
So let's use the term "crystolecule".
This is nice because it's:

  • quite accurate in descriptiveness
  • quite conveniently usable in natural language
  • quite memorably (catchy) because it seems unusual (clickbait effect)

Specificall lets use the term "crystolecule" for ones that are typically are:

  • small – stiff – minimal
  • structural
  • monolithic (like illustrated)
  • do (typically) not yet feature irreversibly enclosed moving parts – (no form closure yet – there may be exceptions)
  • are assembled purely at the first assembly level by piezochemical mechanosynthesis (direct in place assembly)

Crystolecular units

See main page: Crystolecular unit

These are bigger assemblies of basic structural crystolecules.
Assembled from crystolecules either via seamless covalent welding or Van der Waals force sticking and/or shape closing interlocking

Let's use a different name for crystolecules or assemblies of crystolecules that are typically:

  • a bit bigger
  • also functional in nature not just structural
  • not monolithic
  • do feature irreversibly enclosed moving parts
  • may involve pick and place post assembly (from constituent crystolecules) at the next higher assembly level

Generally crystolecules and crystolecular units will be made from gemstone like compounds.
One subclass already investigated a bit in molecular detail are the crystolecular units made from diamondoid like compound. Specifically some ones made from diamond and moissanite where investigated. See: Examples of diamondoid molecular machine elements.

Diamondoid molecular (structural and machine) elements – Term introduction and definition

Let's use:

  • Diamondoid molecular structural elements (DMSEs) for structural ones of all sizes including beside small ones also bigger ones
  • Diamondoid molecular machine elements (DMMEs) for functional ones that are typically bigger in size
  • Diamondoid molecular elements (DMEs) for structures of all sized including both of the former
  • ("Diamondoid" can be replaced by "Gemoid" to include more general gemstone like compounds like e.g. sapphire)

Examples:

Delineation – what crystolecules must not be confused with

Crystolecules must not be confused with crystals out of folded up polypeptide molecules aka proteins (that are made today to find the locations of their constituent atoms).
To emphasize the distinction one could use the term "covalent crystolecules".

Related

Terms for bigger assemblies of several crystolecules but not yet as big (and disassemblable) as microcomponents

External links

At K. Eric Drexlers website:

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