Molecular nanotechnology

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Molecular nanotechnology (MNT) is a technology based on the ability to build structures to complex, atomic specifications by means of mechanosynthesis.^[1] This is distinct from nanoscale materials.

Based on Richard Feynman's vision of miniature factories using nanomachines to build complex products (including additional nanomachines), this advanced form of nanotechnology (or molecular manufacturing^[2]) would make use of positionally-controlled mechanosynthesis guided by molecular machine systems.

MNT would involve combining physical principles demonstrated by biophysics, chemistry, other nanotechnologies, and the molecular machinery of life, with the systems engineering principles found in modern macroscale factories.