Macroscale style machinery at the nanoscale
Physics changes when one scales down things. This may pose serious problems.
If you are educated in physics and nanotechnology you will likely be quick to point out that this will not work because of the effects of one or more of the following scaling laws (here listed in informal form):
- rising surface area (per volume)
>> concerns: rising friction; rising corrosion; clogging - rising tendency towards thermodynamic equilibrium -- (Thermodynamics)
- rising influence of thermal motion -- (Jittery finger problem)
- rising influence of quantum mechanics
- falling available space (obviously) -- (Fat finger problem)
- falling material stiffness (less obvious) -- (Sloppy finger problem)
- rising influence of intermolecular forces -- (Sticky finger problem)
- rising effect of viscosity
But: All of these potential concerns have been analyzed.
The result: In total things change for the better rather than for the worse.
That is: For macroscale style machinery the changing of physics is actually an improving rather than a worsening.
Why nature doesn't do it this way albeit it being a better way is a topic different in kind. A concern not based on physically quantifiable scaling laws. See the main article: "Nature does it differently".
High level considerations
It turns out that all the above mentioned common concerns:
- either do not hold at all under closer inspection
- or they are partially true but overcompensated by other less known factors
For detailed explanations regarding the individual concerns please follow the links above.
(wiki-TODO: complete those links)
