Indirectly-Replicating Indirectly-Replicating NanoMachinesNanoMachines::A Kinematic Cellular AutomataA Kinematic Cellular Automata

ApproachApproach

Principal Investigator: Principal Investigator: Consultants:Consultants:Tihamer Toth-FejelTihamer Toth-Fejel Robert FreitasRobert FreitasTihamer.Toth-Fejel@gd-ais.comTihamer.Toth-Fejel@gd-ais.com Matt MosesMatt Moses

October 22-24, 2004 Washington, DCOctober 22-24, 2004 Washington, DC

First Conference on Advanced Nanotechnology:First Conference on Advanced Nanotechnology:Research, Applications, and PolicyResearch, Applications, and Policy

NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts Phase I: CP-02-02

ContentsContents

1.1. Rationale Rationale2.2. Benefits Benefits3.3. Applications Applications4.4. Accomplishments Accomplishments - Characterization- Characterization

- Quantification- Quantification- Hierarchy- Hierarchy

- Subsystems- Subsystems- Cells- Cells- Simulations- Simulations

5. Conclusion and Future Directions5. Conclusion and Future Directions

RationaleRationale Why Replication?Why Replication?

Revolutionary manufacturing processRevolutionary manufacturing process NanotechnologyNanotechnology Massive reduction in costs per poundMassive reduction in costs per pound

Why Indirect Replication?Why Indirect Replication? Easier to implementEasier to implement Easier to controlEasier to control

Why not Self-Assembly?Why not Self-Assembly? Not Not ““Genotype + Ribotype = PhenotypeGenotype + Ribotype = Phenotype”” (GRP) (GRP)

No theoryNo theory

Against the principles of sound designAgainst the principles of sound design

However, probably useful for simple input partsHowever, probably useful for simple input parts

Rationale:Rationale:Why Kinematic Cellular AutomataWhy Kinematic Cellular Automata

(KCA)?(KCA)?

Combines Von NeumannCombines Von Neumann’’s two designss two designs Hierarchical, standard Turing EquivalentHierarchical, standard Turing Equivalent Indirect replicationIndirect replication Increased flexibilityIncreased flexibility Decreased complexityDecreased complexity Large system work envelopeLarge system work envelope More capabilities than smart dustMore capabilities than smart dust Both macro and Both macro and nanonano scale scale

Benefit: Cost Reduction/Lb Benefit: Cost Reduction/Lb vsvsComplexityComplexity

1

104

1 104 108 1012 1016 1020 1024

102

106

108

Wrench

Pentium

Potato

Lobster

Eigler’s IBM Ad

DigitalWatch

Car

YogurtSalt

KCA IRS

Complexity (Parts and Interactions/lb)

Cos

t ($/

lb)

Traditional Top Down Manufacturing vs Bottom-up Molecular Replication

SevenSevenMagnitudes!Magnitudes!

GA

IN

Benefit: ProgrammableBenefit: ProgrammableMaterialsMaterials

Simple identical modulesSimple identical modules Flow ModeFlow Mode Pixelated ModePixelated Mode Logic Processing ModeLogic Processing Mode

Flow ModeFlow Mode Pixelated ModePixelated Mode

Application: SpaceApplication: Space

ExplorationExploration RobustRobust HyperflexibleHyperflexible

Base ExpansionBase Expansion Lower launch weightLower launch weight Resource utilizationResource utilization

TerraformingTerraforming Politically feasiblePolitically feasible Opens new frontierOpens new frontier

AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

Modeled SimulationsModeled Simulations Sensor Position Sensor Position NAND gate and op-amp self-assembly NAND gate and op-amp self-assembly Facet Facet Transporter and Assembler Transporter and Assembler

Simulate designsSimulate designs

Developed RequirementsDeveloped RequirementsPreliminary DesignPreliminary Design

Design a KCA IRSDesign a KCA IRS

Refined ApproachRefined Approach Useful IRS Useful IRS Developed Hierarchy of Subsystems, Cells, Facets, & Parts Developed Hierarchy of Subsystems, Cells, Facets, & Parts Transporter, Assembler, & Controller Transporter, Assembler, & Controller Low-level simpler than high-level Low-level simpler than high-level Top-Down Top-Down vsvs Bottom-Up Bottom-Up Self-Assembly for input Parts Self-Assembly for input Parts Standard concepts Standard concepts Universal Constructor is approach, not goal Universal Constructor is approach, not goal

Confirm or refuteConfirm or refuteapproachapproach

Not trivial, but less than a PentiumNot trivial, but less than a PentiumQuantify theQuantify thedifficultydifficulty

Explored Multi-Dimensional SpaceExplored Multi-Dimensional SpaceCharacterizeCharacterizeunexplored areaunexplored area

GoalsGoals AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

Characterizing Replication: Adjusting theCharacterizing Replication: Adjusting theFreitas/Freitas/MerkleMerkle 116-Dimension Design Space 116-Dimension Design Space

Evolvability

ProductStructure

ReplicatorPerformance

ReplicatorSubstrate

ReplicatorControl

ReplicatorInformation

ReplicatorEnergetics

ReplicationProcess

ManipulationAutonomy

ManipulationRedundancy

ManipulationCentralization

Quantity of OnboardEnergy Types

Quantity of Manipulation Types

ManipulationDegrees of Freedom

AssemblyStyle

PositionalAccuracy

Parts Count

Parts Scale

PartsTypes

Quantityof VitaminParts

NutritionalComplexity

PartsPreparation

PartsComplexity

PartsPrecision

Multicellularity Subunit Scale

SubunitTypes

SubunitComplexity

ReplicatorKinematics

ActiveSubunits

ReplicatorParts

AllReplicators

ReplicatorStructure

SubunitHierarchy

ReplicatorDesignability

SubunitComplexityMonotonicity

Quantifying Difficulty of IRS DesignQuantifying Difficulty of IRS Design

1.00E+001.00E+011.00E+021.00E+031.00E+041.00E+051.00E+061.00E+071.00E+081.00E+09

Units of difficulty

# parts+

# interactions

Wrench Automobile Pentium KCA IRS

HierarchyHierarchy

MoleculesMoleculesMolecules

Transistors, WiresSelf-assembling Subparts:Wires, Transistors, Actuators

Genes

NAND gatesParts: Inert, Simpler than higher levelsProteins

Finite State Machines,

Shift Registers,Adders, andMultiplexersFacets: Symmetrical implementationOrganelles

Cells: Cubic devices with only threelimited degrees of freedom

Cells

Bus/Memory, ALU,and Controller

Subsystems:

Transporter, Connector, and ControllerBrain andMuscles

ProcessorReplicating System:

UsefulHorse

ComputerBiology KCA IRS

The Bottom-up HierarchicalThe Bottom-up HierarchicalApproach:Approach:

The essential problem in replicationThe essential problem in replicationWell-ordered environment,Well-ordered environment,Simple inert Simple inert partspartsSymmetric Symmetric facetsfacetsModular Modular cellscellsTransporter, Connector, and ControllerTransporter, Connector, and Controllersubsystemssubsystems

Indirectly-Replicating Indirectly-Replicating SystemSystem

Transporter SubsystemTransporter Subsystem

(pink corner structural part)

Connector SubsystemConnector Subsystem

(pink corner structural part)

(yellow edge structural part)(light blue preparation tool)

Controller SubsystemController Subsystem

Unit CellUnit Cell

(different styles of tabs, actuators, and sensors shown)

Facet AnimationFacet Animation

Parts: Structure, Sensors &Parts: Structure, Sensors &ActuatorsActuators

Self-assemblingSelf-assemblingWang TilesWang Tiles

Semi-automated Design of Self-Semi-automated Design of Self-AssemblingAssembling

NAND gate and op-ampNAND gate and op-amp

Simulation ofSimulation ofTransporter and ConnectorTransporter and Connector

Conclusion and Future DirectionsConclusion and Future Directions

No roadblocks!No roadblocks!

Final Design for macro physical prototypesFinal Design for macro physical prototypes Build physical prototypesBuild physical prototypes Build and run small cell collectionsBuild and run small cell collections Build and run subsystemsBuild and run subsystems Build macro scale IRSBuild macro scale IRS Write Place and Route softwareWrite Place and Route software Refine concept at nano scaleRefine concept at nano scale

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements NASA Institute for Advanced ConceptsNASA Institute for Advanced Concepts John John SauterSauter __ AltarumAltarum Rick Berthiaume, Ed Waltz, Ken Augustyn, andRick Berthiaume, Ed Waltz, Ken Augustyn, andSherwood Spring Sherwood Spring __ General Dynamics AIS General Dynamics AIS

John McMillan and Teresa MacaulayJohn McMillan and Teresa Macaulay__ Wise Solutions Wise Solutions

Forrest BishopForrest Bishop__ Institute of Atomic-Scale Institute of Atomic-Scale

EngineeringEngineering Joseph Michael Joseph Michael __ Fractal Robots, Ltd. Fractal Robots, Ltd.