nano nano

[Doug Millison]

"If our world survives, the next great challenge to watch out for will come
-- you heard it here first -- when the curves of research and development in
artificial intelligence, molecular biology and robotics all converge."
-Thomas Pynchon

...doing their best not to get caught flat-footed:


"National Security. The Department of Defense recognized the importance of
nanostructures over a 
decade ago and has played a significant role in nurturing the field.
Critical defense applications 
include (a) continued information dominance through advanced
nanoelectronics, identified as an 
important capability for the military; (b) more sophisticated virtual
reality systems based on 
nanostructured electronics that enable more affordable, effective training;
(c) increased use of 
enhanced automation and robotics to offset reductions in military manpower,
reduce risks to troops, 
and improve vehicle performance; for example, several thousand pounds could
be stripped from a 
pilotless fighter aircraft, resulting in longer missions, and fighter
agility could be dramatically 
improved without the necessity to limit g-forces on the pilot, thus
increasing combat effectiveness; 
(d) achievement of the higher performance (lighter weight, higher strength)
needed in military 
platforms while simultaneously providing diminished failure rates and lower
life-cycle costs; (e) 
badly needed improvements in chemical/biological/nuclear sensing and in
casualty care; (f) design 
improvements of systems used for nuclear non-proliferation monitoring and
management; and (g) 
combined nano and micromechanical devices for control of nuclear defense
systems."

http://www.nano.gov/nni2.htm#page=15


They're still looking for good ideas, too. See the War Department's RFP at
http://www.onr.navy.mil/sci_tech/special/durint/durint01baa.htm

You can download or read a 280-page report, "Societal Implications of
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology" available at the National Nanotechnology
Initiative site'shome page, http://www.nano.gov/, .