Nanotech Sites
Inquiring about the feasibility of neuronano-based radios, a bit Rube Goldberg in my somewhat educated opinion, usually leads to the physics of nanotechnology in general. In this specific case, it lead to a bunch of sites regarding the limits of nanotech.
This StarDestroyer.net page goes over the basic physical limitations that debunk any nanohype you may have seen on a Sci-Fi Channel Original Feature. Being a bit of a technophile and Net roamer, this site isn't the end of the story. Over at the Orion's Arm Yahoo! group (free registration is required here) is a rebuttal of Mr. Wong's assertion, taking exception to several points that he missed as well as his fandom bias; though Wong isn't completly wrong, mind.
Still, this isn't the end of the story, as there's a counter-response...sort of. Most of it's simply a reprint of the rebuttal. I would like to see this mathematical proof that SirNitram is referring too, though. Not wanting to be misunderstood, Steve Bowers and Todd Drashner rebut the misconceptions.
Lest you think the developers of Orion's Arm are just being nanofanboys, not only are they aware of the limitations of nanoweapons but the setting's main creator himself plans on revising the Nanodisaster in the setting's backstory.
On a more technical note, Orion's Arm lists two notable formal scientific arguments supporting the utility of nanotechnology (the response to the Whiteside' article is long, while the response to the Smalley article is short) as well as debate between the Foresight Institute and Scientific American.
On a parting side note, but by no means a lesser one, the original rebuttal thread brought to my attention Soft Machines. I plan on checking out the Soft Machines webjournal as well as the featured book, already ordered via intralibrary loan. Even if I get too much of the lazys to read it, I'm certain that Mom will love reading it.
This StarDestroyer.net page goes over the basic physical limitations that debunk any nanohype you may have seen on a Sci-Fi Channel Original Feature. Being a bit of a technophile and Net roamer, this site isn't the end of the story. Over at the Orion's Arm Yahoo! group (free registration is required here) is a rebuttal of Mr. Wong's assertion, taking exception to several points that he missed as well as his fandom bias; though Wong isn't completly wrong, mind.
Still, this isn't the end of the story, as there's a counter-response...sort of. Most of it's simply a reprint of the rebuttal. I would like to see this mathematical proof that SirNitram is referring too, though. Not wanting to be misunderstood, Steve Bowers and Todd Drashner rebut the misconceptions.
Lest you think the developers of Orion's Arm are just being nanofanboys, not only are they aware of the limitations of nanoweapons but the setting's main creator himself plans on revising the Nanodisaster in the setting's backstory.
On a more technical note, Orion's Arm lists two notable formal scientific arguments supporting the utility of nanotechnology (the response to the Whiteside' article is long, while the response to the Smalley article is short) as well as debate between the Foresight Institute and Scientific American.
On a parting side note, but by no means a lesser one, the original rebuttal thread brought to my attention Soft Machines. I plan on checking out the Soft Machines webjournal as well as the featured book, already ordered via intralibrary loan. Even if I get too much of the lazys to read it, I'm certain that Mom will love reading it.