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ihateshadylandlords t1_j0z1xqp wrote

Reply to comment by TFenrir in Printing atom by atom: Lab explores nanoscale 3D printing by Dr_Singularity

>Okay well first - that's a hard thing to quantify, who knows how close we are - this thread is about a technique that is about assembling atoms/molecules into useful products.

Right, but it’s using the prerequisite raw materials into useful products and not turning dirt/carbon into useful raw material.

>Second, that's immaterial to the original question you were asking.

If we’re going to have post scarcity, we need the ability to convert useless material into useful raw material. From my understanding, this development doesn’t solve that issue.

>I don't know how long it will take, but as you were asking how something like this could be useful, it's pretty straight forward.

It’s definitely useful as long as we have the prerequisite materials, but it is still dependent on having the scarce useful materials. So what we have so far won’t lead to post scarcity at all, just more efficient products.

Also I’m really not trying to be obtuse or anything. But from what I can tell, this isn’t solving the issue of turning useless materials into useful materials; it’s about precision printing.

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TFenrir t1_j0z6mm4 wrote

I think I understand what you're saying a bit more!

There are still lots of things that need to be figured out for what is often referred to as "atomically precise manufacturing". APM, coined by Eric Drexler, is often focused on the part of the process that assembles from already ready material, and the value propositions that come from that - for example, literally no waste in the manufacturing process, and shapes/structures that would not be possible otherwise.

However, it also requires a process that can break down/recycle objects into those base materials. A unique and separate challenge, but one that has direct symbiosis with the end result.

I'd recommend if you are curious, reading some of Eric Drexler's work. He's really level headed about the topic, and is extremely well versed - he has a blog, last I remember, but also has written great books - I think he coins the term "APM" in that book, it's been almost as decade since I've read it though.

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