nanomachine
Tiny automated device
A nanomachine is a mechanical device built at the molecular scale—typically measured in nanometers (billionths of a meter).
The term appears most often in speculative technology and science fiction, where nanomachines might repair cells, assemble materials atom by atom, or swarm through the body to fight disease: The nanomachines in his bloodstream targeted the tumor.
Real nanotechnology exists but remains far from the self-replicating robots of popular imagination.
Thing that duplicates
- BorgCybernetic collective species
- nanitesMolecule-sized autonomous machines
- science-fictionSpeculative technology-based literature
- cyborgOrganic-mechanical hybrid entity
Crichton · singularity · transhumanism · cyberpunk · dystopian · self-replicating · augmentation · nanoweapon
Billionth-meter dimension
- self-assemblySpontaneous structural organization
- atomElement's smallest unit
- synthesisCombining parts into whole
- polymerLarge repeated-unit molecule
enzyme · catalyst · fullerene · nanoparticle · nanofabrication · substrate · biochemistry · peptide
Administering medicine to body
- nanobotMolecule-scale robot
- bloodstreamFlow through vessels
- cellularComposed of small units
- immunotherapyDisease treatment via body's defenses
oncology · diagnostics · biosensor · payload · regenerative · therapeutics · antibodies · vaccine
Too small for eyes
- invisibleCannot be seen
- submicroscopicToo small for optical viewing
- nanoscaleBillionth-meter dimension
- angstromSubatomic length unit
Submicroscopic autonomous machine
- actuatorDevice producing controlled motion
- sensorInput-detecting device
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
- swarmMass of moving insects
programmable · autonomous · nanomotor · manipulator · transducer · microcontroller · replication · remote-controlled
Chosen for specific attention
- controlledKept within limits
- programmableAble to accept instructions
- site-specificTied to one location
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
calibration · fine-tuning · accuracy · specificity · selective · engineered · responsive
replicator
Thing that duplicates
- BorgCybernetic collective species
- nanitesMolecule-sized autonomous machines
- science-fictionSpeculative technology-based literature
Crichton · cyborg · singularity · transhumanism · cyberpunk · dystopian · self-replicating · augmentation · nanoweapon · Stargate
nanoscale
Billionth-meter dimension
- self-assemblySpontaneous structural organization
- atomElement's smallest unit
- synthesisCombining parts into whole
polymer · enzyme · catalyst · fullerene · nanoparticle · nanofabrication · substrate · biochemistry · peptide · nucleotide
drug-delivery
Administering medicine to body
- nanobotMolecule-scale robot
- bloodstreamFlow through vessels
- cellularComposed of small units
immunotherapy · oncology · diagnostics · biosensor · payload · regenerative · therapeutics · antibodies · vaccine · pharmacology
microscopic
Too small for eyes
- invisibleCannot be seen
- submicroscopicToo small for optical viewing
- nanoscaleBillionth-meter dimension
nanorobot
Submicroscopic autonomous machine
- actuatorDevice producing controlled motion
- sensorInput-detecting device
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
swarm · programmable · autonomous · nanomotor · manipulator · transducer · microcontroller · replication · remote-controlled
targeted
Chosen for specific attention
- controlledKept within limits
- programmableAble to accept instructions
- site-specificTied to one location
manipulation · calibration · fine-tuning · accuracy · specificity · selective · engineered · responsive
- Nanotechnanoparticle, nanotube, nanowire, nanomaterial, nanotech
- nanobotsnanobot, nanobots, nanorobot, nanite, nanites
nanomachineheavy machinery
Large powered industrial apparatus
giant robot · mecha · construction equipment · colossus · factory equipment
nanomachinesimple machine
Force-multiplying device
hand tool · lever · steam engine · clockwork · primitive tool