LEGO and its (un)suitability for nanoscale construction kits

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This page covers speculations about how LEGO would behave when
nigh 1:1 unchanged in geometry scaled down to the atomistic scale
and made from crystolecules.
Specifically: What the major issues are and how things could be changed
such that the building blocks better match the nanoscale physics.
See also related page: Applicability of macro 3D printing for nanomachine prototyping

Friction self holding of the pins

No macroscale like friction at the nanoscale.
=> Elastic energy barrier clipping as alternative.

A LEGO similar design would likely lead to commensurate interdigitating atomic corrugation as notched clips.
This may perhaps make not fully engaged error states more likely.

Also this will not make for string holding forces and holding energy barriers compared to
the high elastic energy of the studs in the holes. Quite suboptimal.

Making the fit much more loose vdW forces will provide some
much smaller but still useful holding forces.
The not fully engaged error states from before are likely averted.
Even negative pressure can still lead to a centering effect.
See page: Negative pressure bearingss
This will likely need strained shell structures to optimize the fit.

There are better alternatives for stud/pin connectivity …

Better alternatives for stud/pin connectivity

Clips can be made reversible structurally and
nigh reversible energetically (clip energy recuperation).
Avoiding energy dissipation snapping events.
This is much more significant at the nanoscale compared to the macroscale.
More surface area makes for more clips.
There are tricks to defer/delay the need for clips to larger subassemblies.

Weak vdW force based sticking combined with
conical V/W groove self centering can suffice in low load cases.

Higher force clips using larger structural bending.
Clips can retain some/significant pretension when engaged.
This also allows for much higher stiffness of connections.
See page: Design principle of passive pretension

Single main axis causing forced anisotropy

LEGO forces a strong anisotropy by having a singe main z-axis that is not easy to
deviate from without going to (by LEGO community so called) "illegal building techniques".
There are some legal ways (by LEGO community so called) "struts not on top SNOT"
but this seems to be more of an afterthought and a fringe topic.
Not core and center of main building techniques.

"Illegal" building techniques

Illegal building techniques leaning high stains and permanent stresses on the parts are
(while not intended and all the other consequences from that)
much more acceptable in terms of part degradation over time for nanoscale crystolecules.
Atomically precise crystolecules are flawless defect free and thus
they to not feature any creep or micro-cracking limits.
See pages: Wear & Superelasticity.

Related

External links

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