Nanotechnology Team
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Atomically precise manipulation of matter is becoming increasingly common in laboratories around the world. As this control moves into aerospace systems, huge improvements in computer, high-strength low-weight materials for aircraft and launch vehicles, and other systems are expected. Studies suggest that it may be possible to build:

• 10¹⁸ MIPS computers
• 10¹⁵ bytes/cm² write once memory
• Aerospace Transportation single-stage-to-orbit launch vehicles

and active materials which sense their environment and react intelligently. All of NASA's enterprises should benefit significantly from molecular nanotechnology. Although the time may be measured in decades and the precise path to molecular nanotechnology is unclear, all paths (diamondoid, fullerene, self-assembly, biomolecular, etc.) will require very substantial computation.

Goals

• Develop Ames' computational molecular nanotechnology capabilities
• Design and computationally test atomically precise electronic, mechanical and other components
• Work with experimentalists to advance physical capabilities

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Updated: Wednesday, 29-Jan-2003 14:25:23 PST
WebWork: Bryan Biegel
NASA Responsible Official: T. R. Govindan