Methods, Systems and Workpieces Using Mechanosynthesis

Abstract

Methods and systems for building three-dimensional workpieces are described using a plurality of mechanosynthetic reactions. These methods may employ engineered reliability in reactions and process conditions and may use simulated or otherwise vetted reaction sequences, to allow workpieces requiring many reactions to be built with acceptable reliability. These many reactions may be the repetition of one or a small number of reactions, or many diverse reactions, or a combination thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for building a workpiece comprising:
 building a three-dimensional, atomically-precise workpiece using a plurality of mechanosynthetic reactions.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of mechanosynthetic reactions use feedstock atoms selected from the group consisting of: stable elements other than the noble gases and transuranic elements. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of mechanosynthetic reactions use atoms selected from the group consisting of: Al, B, Be, Br, C, Cl, F, Ge, H, Ir, Li, Mg, N, O, Na, P, S, and Si. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein at least 10 mechanosynthetic reactions are performed to build said workpiece. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said at least 10 mechanosynthetic reactions are chemically or structurally different from one another. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein at least 100 mechanosynthetic reactions are performed to build said workpiece. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3  wherein a testing step is carried out after one or more of the plurality of mechanosynthetic reactions. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said plurality of mechanosynthetic reactions are carried out at a temperature suitable for the desired reliability of said plurality of mechanosynthetic reactions. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said plurality of mechanosynthetic reactions are carried out using an atomically-precise tip. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein at least 10 mechanosynthetic reactions are performed to build said workpiece. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said at least 10 mechanosynthetic reactions are chemically or structurally different from one another. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein at least 100 mechanosynthetic reactions are performed to build said workpiece. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising: defining atomic coordinates for said three-dimensional atomically-precise workpiece; and calculating a reaction sequence to build said workpiece. 
     
     
         14 . A system for building a workpiece comprising:
 a specification for a three-dimensional, atomically-precise workpiece;   a build sequence for building said workpiece with a desired level of reliability;   a means of providing feedstock;   a means to position said feedstock; and   a means to cause chemical reactions with said feedstock, to create said workpiece.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  further comprising a means for scanning said workpiece to determine if errors are present in the atomic structure of said workpiece. 
     
     
         16 . A three-dimensional, atomically-precise workpiece which can only be synthesized via mechanosynthetic reactions. 
     
     
         17 . The workpiece of  claim 16  requiring at least 10 mechanosynthesis reactions to synthesize. 
     
     
         18 . The workpiece of  claim 17  wherein said workpiece consists of at least 10 atoms. 
     
     
         19 . The workpiece of  claim 17  wherein said workpiece consists of at least 100 atoms. 
     
     
         20 . The workpiece of  claim 19  wherein said workpiece contains atoms selected from the group consisting of: Al, B, Be, Br, C, Cl, F, Ge, H, Ir, Li, Mg, N, O, Na, P, S, and Si.