Block diagram of a gem-gum on-chip factory
This is pretty much the highest level single page conceptual overview of a gem-gum factory system that is possible.
For a working gem-gum factory all components shown here (that are not marked optional) need concrete solutions.
Early predecessor systems based on self-assembly and foldamer technology will have quite different internal system architecture. E.g. Modular molecular composite nanosystems.
Semi hardcoded
"Semi-hardcoded" in the diagram means for a reprogramming it is necessary to take the machinery apart and reassemble it in a different way.
E.g. spacer-wedges in a different order.
Cooling sandwich
Cooling is advantageous for piezochemical mechanosynthesis (reducing error rates.
But it takes significant energy to cool matter down to very low temperatures.
So it's desirable to recuperate as much of that thermal energy as possible.
If a layered structure for a the gem-gum factory is chosen (assembly levels are organized in assembly layers)
then cooling processing and reheating forms a sandwich like structure. Thus the choice of name.
Machine phase
This means location and orientation of all parts are known to all times. See: Machine phase
Forced "condenstaion" into machine phase means getting resource molecules
- out of solution or gas (unknown position and oreintation)
- into machine phase.
This is somewhat akin to condensation as condensation to solid crystals allows only crystal lattice points as valid positions. Thus the choice of name.
If its known whether the resource molecules come as gas or liquid that this could be called more concretely:
- forced selective freezing (liquid to machine phase)
- forced selective deposition (gas to machine phase)
