NS/main/manual/front_nanotech.html

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<td valign="top" background="images/design/surround_title_s.gif"><span class="sectionlink"><a href="frontiersmen.html">Frontiersmen
Data</a></span><span class="sectiontext">: <font color="#FF6600">Nanotech</font></span></td>
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<td>&nbsp; </td>
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<p><img src="images/images/10_data.gif" width="13" height="10">
The cornerstone of scientific advancement and
technology in the last century has been nanotech:
the use of molecular machines to manipulate the
very atoms of matter. This technology has allowed
humanity to construct objects that are lighter,
stronger, and more perfectly assembled than ever
before &#150; one molecule at a time. It also means
that if we have the &quot;blueprints&quot; of
any device, we can construct it perfectly, over
and over. </p>
<p>There are two types of nanotech (also called
&quot;nanites&quot;) currently in use &#150; replicating,
and fixed. Fixed nanotech are molecular machines
that perform one function only, running off an
internal energy supply, and expiring when their
work is done. An example would be the medical
nanos in medkits. They enter the body, locate
damage, and repair it. Once their energy is used
up, they &quot;die&quot;, entering the bloodstream
to be filtered out naturally. Each medkit can
only repair so much damage (and good thing &#150;
medical nanites with no energy limit might continue
to &quot;repair&quot; even after the damage was
fixed). Replicating nanotech, on the other hand,
draw energy from their environment (usually a
single type of matter) and some even have the
ability to reproduce, creating new versions of
themselves that can in turn replicate, ad infinitum.
An example would be the biotech patrolling every
Frontiersman's body, looking for foreign biotech
or nanotech attack. These machines convert iron
in the blood into the minimal charge needed to
continue functioning. Replicating nanotech is
extremely dangerous and nearly non-existent today.
The dangers of a machine that never stops, or
can reproduce itself into infinity, are too great.
Early mistakes destroyed entire planets, and created
&quot;hot zones&quot; that will be off limits
for many generations. The destructive potential
of this technology dwarfs anything man has encountered
or imagined.</p>
<p>For this reason, there are strict limits on the
use of nanotech in civilian or industrial applications.
These limits are relaxed slightly on ships, where
accidents can be contained, or in military situations,
where it seems any advantage will be exploited
sooner or later, no matter the risk.</p>
<p>Most ships or bases have carefully contained
stores of &quot;raw&quot; nano-sludge, a mineral
rich slop that can serve as the base material
for any desired object. Nanotech assemblers are
designed to accept this sludge, and this sludge
only, as their fuel, and the building blocks for
nano-construction. This helps limit the dangers
of nanotech, and also allows the Trans-Govs to
police its use (by controlling the nano-sludge
supply). There are few greater crimes than the
unsanctioned development or use of nanotech.</p>
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<p>Stores of nano-sludge on ships or bases
are called Resource Nodes. They are only
accessed under supervised conditions, requiring
the oversight of a ship's captain. Frontiersmen
can tap them using <a href="structures_restower.html">Resource
Towers</a>. See <a href="items_main.html">Resources
and Equipment</a> for more information.
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