Atomically precise disassembly
In contrast to mechanosynthesis atom by atom disassembly is a much harder problem.
When atoms are placed into e.g. a stable diamondoid crystal lattice they form multiple bonds. To get them out again one would need to bind them even stronger to the tooltip. But thats not possible anymore since there are no single bonds that bind stronger than three carbon-carbon bonds (maybe a counterexample with silicon [1]). So once placed in most cases the atom stays stuck until the whole part in which it resides in gets burnt. With materials that have weaker bonds and or are more loosely meshed one might have more luck. For materials with low diamondoidivity cryogenic temperatures are needed so that everything stays put.
Many natural materials are very unordered where diffusing when warm or have at least crystal defects making it necessary to scan the surface and have a plan for every possible situation which might occur. A very difficult problem way beyond the scope of APM attainment projects.
Related
- APM aided oil refinement
- handling of crude substances in general - oil refinement - mining
