Ask HN: Where do we stand with Self-replicating nano machines?

#1

Post by Murkin » Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 9:52 AM UTC

The key element of any SciFi and mega scale space project.

Are there any advances in the field? Startups trying to do it? Recommended places to learn more?

Re: Ask HN: Where do we stand with Self-replicating nano machines?

#2

Post by WaltPurvis » Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 3:27 PM UTC

I remember reading Engines of Creation some 35 years ago and actually believing it, but there has been essentially zero progress. It remains pure science fiction and I expect nothing else in the foreseeable future.

Re: Ask HN: Where do we stand with Self-replicating nano machines?

#3

Post by stuxnet79 » Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 8:05 PM UTC

WaltPurvis wrote: post #2

I remember reading Engines of Creation some 35 years ago and actually believing it, but there has been essentially zero progress. It remains pure science fiction and I expect nothing else in the foreseeable future.

I don't want to hijack this thread, but a while ago I posted an Ask HN requesting introductory books to nanotech -> https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18059301.

Never heard of Engines of Creation, but it looks like what I'm looking for (just ordered from Amazon). Apart from Engines of Creation are there any good intro texts?