Re: Communicating with nanotech


Rory McLean <rory@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Means of communicating with (active) nanotech is something worth
considering. While the issue of how humans get information to
the nanotech is very interesting, the question of how the
nanotech gives information to humans is a definite issue. In
particular, if some sort of alarm or warning needs to be sent.
[...]

However, there is a human sense that also functions on
approaching the nanoscale, smell. Even very small quantities of
some substances can be clearly smelt. It might be possible to
use warning smells, to say things like "this nanotech system has
problems", through to 'run away now' smells, meaning "this
nanotech system is dangerous to humans".

Using chemicals to perform messaging in that manner, among other
mechanisms, is touched on by Robert A. Freitas in chapter 7 of his book
"Nanomedicine". Fortunately you can find the entire text (sans figures and
illustrations) of that book online here:

http://www.nanomedicine.com/NMI.htm

(Section 7.4.6.4 "Gustatory and Olfactory Outmessaging" is most directly
relevant. While the nano devices in that case are assumed to be within the
body being communicated to, the idea is obviously generalizable to
communication from external nano devices.)

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Nano Morality
    ... agreed to by humans, and we need to be doing it now. ... I think its pretty clear the machines are now in control. ... Nanotech will be a further addition to that ecology, ... just a concept, its far less advanced than computers were 30 years ago, ...
    (sci.nanotech)
  • Communicating with nanotech
    ... Means of communicating with nanotech is something worth ... nanotech gives information to humans is a definite issue. ... implanted communications interfaces, ... that smell was the obvious human sense that nanotech would ...
    (sci.nanotech)
  • Re: [Sci.nanotech] Communicating with nanotech
    ... Rory McLean writes: ... nanotech gives information to humans is a definite issue. ... communicate with nanomachines (in both directions). ...
    (sci.nanotech)
  • Re: Everyday Nanotechnology
    ... general-purpose assembler is a lot further off, ... would likely avoid the smart nanotech-saturated environment ... really, really, know what the interactions between humans (and ... the environment we currently depend on) and nanotech are. ...
    (sci.nanotech)
  • Re: For All You Kitty - Lovers...[NOT A cybercat Joke... ;-) ]
    ... up" to humans, e.g. centuries or whatever... ... Or less if you have food that smells good... ... Remove _ to validate e-mails. ...
    (rec.food.cooking)