Nanomachines: Difference between revisions
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Note that real-life physics puts constraints on what nanomachines could accomplish; for instance, without some source of energy, they will just sit there being molecules, or at best work veeeery slowly using ambient energy. But most writers [[Did Not Do the Research|rarely study the subject in any detail]]; it's easier to just use them as [[Green Rocks]] that can do anything the plot requires.
One reasonably common science-fiction scenario involves nanomachines being programmed to build copies of themselves using materials in their environment. If not stopped, such nanobots could theoretically grow exponentially, turning all available material on Earth into more nanobots and ending life as we know it—this is known as the "[[Grey Goo]]" scenario. Some scientists (and noted homeopathy fan, HRH The Prince of Wales) have expressed concern that this scenario could actually happen in real life, although most consider it extremely [https://web.archive.org/web/20131025044513/http://nanotechweb.org/cws/article/indepth/19648 unlikely].
Because it is so powerful, in settings where science is ''inherently'' bad expect nanotech to be right up there on the [[Scale of Scientific Sins]].
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* ''[[Metal Gear Solid]]'' and its sequels use nanomachines for ''everything'', from transmissions to healing bleeding wounds to {{spoiler|aiding in a fake possession}}.
** [[Parrot Exposition|Nanomachines?]]
** In ''[[Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty|Metal Gear Solid 2]]'', Raiden actually has all of his ''blood'' replaced with ''synthetic blood teaming with nanites''. Never mind the actual viability of that particular gruesome mashup, this is what allows him to interact wirelessly with nerds. Uh, nodes. This is actually perfectly viable, or at least it should be in the next few decades. [https://web.archive.org/web/20100420041524/http://www.kurzweilai.net/meme/frame.html?main=
* Vanilla H's healing ability in the ''[[Galaxy Angel (video game)|Galaxy Angel]]'' games comes from nanomachines. This works on both ships (her Angel Wing, Harvester, is a living nanomachine colony) and people (with her pet, a catlike living [[Lost Technology]]). Vanilla is one of the very few people that can pull this off, and became an [[Emotionless Girl]] as a side effect of honing her skills. Nano-Nano Pudding, from the later games, is another living [[Lost Technology]], this time a [[Catgirl]]. Like Vanilla's pet, she too is constructed from nanomachines.
* In the ''[[Galaxy Angel (anime)|Galaxy Angel]]'' anime, none of this is mentioned at all, and Vanilla's powers may or may not come from a magical bead.
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** Nanomaterials: Super strong, very tough, and incredibly light, carbon nanomaterials. They are the [[Flying Brick]] of materials, in a sense. Variants include nanotubes, nanobuds, graphene sheets, etc.
** Nanomedicine: While we have no idea how to make ourselves immortal, superpowered badasses yet, doctors hope nanotechnology has the promise of eventually being able to cure the common cold. And HIV. And Cancer. The tricky part is actually getting the nanites to know what they should attack. This is being worked on mighty well. Nanites engineered to precisely exploit abnormally swollen pores in cancer tissue are in development. Ultra-tiny nanotube-based radio devices are also in development, which would allow for ''remote-controlled'' nanites, but those are somewhat farther away.
** Non-Newtonian liquid suspensions: Basically, funny-shaped particles made by nanoengineering, floating in thick oil. Flexible when subjected to the force of human muscles, but turn ultra-rigid when compressed by something faster. Like a bullet. Body armor that can stop a rifle round that also allows one to do crunches like it wasn't there. It's basically a man-made enhancement of the forces that allow [https://web.archive.org/web/20170814230258/http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=720f7702c5ab116120e0&page=1&viewtype=&category= John Tickle to walk on custard].
* If you think about it, nanomachines are actually much [[Older Than They Think]], since proteins are essentially naturally occurring nanomachines. They are quite small, and they can accomplish functions like [[wikipedia:Enzyme|facilitating chemical reactions]], [[wikipedia:Na-K-ATPase pump|pumping substances across barriers]], and when working together can even [[wikipedia:Actomyosin|cause macro-scale movement]] of objects.<ref>Without nanomachines, you wouldn't have been able to view this footnote. Reward them with a cup of a xanthine alkaloid. Preferably coffee.</ref>
** Monoclonal antibodies ''already'' meet most of the criteria for medical nanomachines. Cultivate some that adhere to tumors, stick a radioactive isotope on each one, and turn 'em loose in the body to hunt down their prey like itty bitty Terminators.
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