Engines of CreationIn this original book about the consequences of new technologies, Drexler takes the reader through exhilarating new discoveries and the promise of those around the corner. Beginning with the insight that what we can do depends on what we can build, Drexler analyzes nanotechnology, which involves the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules. He makes a plausible case for expecting technological developments in artificial intelligence and molecular engineering that will result in tiny mechanisms being controlled by microscopic powerful thinking computers. He also explains how the new alternatives could be directed toward vital human concerns -- wealth or poverty, health or sickness, peace or war. ISBN 0-385-19972-4: $17.95. |
From inside the book
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Page 6
Biochemists already work with these machines , which are chiefly made of
protein , the main engineering material of living cells . These molecular machines
have relatively few atoms , and so they have lumpy surfaces , like objects made
by ...
Biochemists already work with these machines , which are chiefly made of
protein , the main engineering material of living cells . These molecular machines
have relatively few atoms , and so they have lumpy surfaces , like objects made
by ...
Page 15
Still , people regularly raise certain questions rooted in physics and biology .
These deserve more direct answers . • Will the uncertainty principle of quantum
physics make molecular machines unworkable ? This principle states ( among
other ...
Still , people regularly raise certain questions rooted in physics and biology .
These deserve more direct answers . • Will the uncertainty principle of quantum
physics make molecular machines unworkable ? This principle states ( among
other ...
Page 100
Surgeons can see problems and plan actions , but they wield crude tools ; drug
molecules affect tissues at the molecular level , but they are too simple to sense ,
plan , and act . But molecular machines directed by nanocomputers will offer ...
Surgeons can see problems and plan actions , but they wield crude tools ; drug
molecules affect tissues at the molecular level , but they are too simple to sense ,
plan , and act . But molecular machines directed by nanocomputers will offer ...
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Great Book
User Review - nubianangel - Overstock.comEngines of Creation is a very good book to help the nonscientist get a grasp on the complexities of nano technology where we are and where we could go with it. While it breaks the information down to ... Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - mentatjack - LibraryThingThis is one of my favorite science non-fiction books ever. If you've enjoyed any of the nanotechnology in science fiction in the last few decades, it was probably informed in some way by Drexler's ... Read full review
Contents
Engines of Construction | 3 |
The Principles of Change | 21 |
Predicting and Projecting | 39 |
Copyright | |
14 other sections not shown
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Common terms and phrases
ability able active already arms assemblers atoms basic become better biostasis brain bring build called cell repair machines Chapter chemical complex computers consider copies cost damage dangerous described develop devices direct discussion Earth effect electronic energy engineering evolution evolved example exist experiments fact force future genes give groups grow growth holds human hypertext ideas imagine institutions intelligence knowledge lead less light limits living machinery material matter means mechanical memes million mind molecular molecular machines molecules move natural organisms patterns possible present principles problem produce protect protein quantum mechanics reach reason remain replicators require seems selection shape simple space speed spread structures success suggest technical things thousand tion tissue understand universe
Bibliographic information
| Title | Engines of Creation Science, technical The Anchor library of science |
| Author | K. Eric Drexler |
| Edition | reprint |
| Publisher | Anchor Press/Doubleday, 1986 |
| Original from | the University of Michigan |
| Digitized | 9 Aug 2011 |
| ISBN | 0385199732, 9780385199735 |
| Length | 298 pages |
| Subjects | › Science / Applied Sciences Science / Nanoscience |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |