nanites
Microscopic robotic workers
Nanites are microscopic robots, typically imagined at the nanometer scale, that appear frequently in science fiction.
They often work in swarms to perform tasks like repairing tissue, fighting disease, or assembling materials atom by atom.
The nanites in her bloodstream healed the wound in seconds.
While real nanotechnology exists, the self-replicating, autonomous nanites of fiction remain largely theoretical.
The word is sometimes used loosely for any tiny machines or components, even those not truly nanoscale.
Atom-scale automated devices
- nanorobotsAtom-scale autonomous machines
- microbotsMicroscopic programmable machines
- self-replicatingAble to duplicate autonomously
- swarmMass of moving insects
cyberpunk · singularity · transhumanism · cyborgs · augmentation · Borg · replicators · nanoprobes
Reducing physical scale significantly
- self-assemblySpontaneous structural organization
- nanofabricationCreating nanometer-scale structures
- MEMSMicroscale electromechanical devices
- nanosensorsNanoscale detection devices
nanoelectronics · microfabrication · nanomaterials · nanotubes · actuators · microrobotics
Flow through vessels
- healingRestoration of health
- diagnosticsMethods identifying problems
- antibodiesProteins targeting pathogens
- pathogensDisease-causing microorganisms
infection · surgery · oncology · therapy · immunotherapy · prosthetics · antiviral · neurology
Tools for fighting
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
- bioweaponsWeaponized pathogens or toxins
countermeasures · stealth · reconnaissance · assassination · disintegration · armor-piercing · espionage · targeting
nanomachines
Atom-scale automated devices
- nanorobotsAtom-scale autonomous machines
- microbotsMicroscopic programmable machines
- self-replicatingAble to duplicate autonomously
swarm · cyberpunk · singularity · transhumanism · cyborgs · augmentation · Borg · replicators · nanoprobes · sci-fi
miniaturization
Reducing physical scale significantly
- self-assemblySpontaneous structural organization
- nanofabricationCreating nanometer-scale structures
- MEMSMicroscale electromechanical devices
nanosensors · nanoelectronics · microfabrication · nanomaterials · nanotubes · actuators · microrobotics
bloodstream
Flow through vessels
- healingRestoration of health
- diagnosticsMethods identifying problems
- antibodiesProteins targeting pathogens
pathogens · infection · surgery · oncology · therapy · immunotherapy · prosthetics · antiviral · neurology · cardiology
weapons
Tools for fighting
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
bioweapons · countermeasures · stealth · reconnaissance · assassination · disintegration · armor-piercing · espionage · targeting
- nanobotsnanobots, nanorobot, nanomachines, nanoswarm, nanoprobe
- Fictional Materialsadamantine, mithril, unobtainium, unobtanium, dilithium
nanitesheavy machinery
Large powered industrial apparatus
megastructures · industrial robots · mechs · construction equipment · battleships
nanitesstone tools
Shaped rocks for tasks
simple machines · hand tools · steam engines · primitive tools · manual tools