Question

Compare the car assembly process with nanotechnology self-assembly. How are the nanocomponents moved and oriented?

Answer 1

NANOTECHNOLOGY SELF-ASSEMBLY:

An assembly line is a manufacturing process (often called a progressiveassembly) in which parts (usually interchangeable parts) are added as the semi-finished assembly moves from workstation to workstation where the parts are added in sequence until the final assembly is produced.

self-assembly is a strategy for nanofabrication that involves designing molecules and supramolecular entities so that shape-complementarity causes them to aggregate into desired structures. Self-assembly has a number of advantages as a strategy: First, it carries out many of the most difficult steps in nanofabrication--those involving atomic-level modification of structure--using the very highly developed techniques of synthetic chemistry. Second, it draws from the enormous wealth of examples in biology for inspiration: self-assembly is one of the most important strategies used in biology for the development of complex, functional structures. Third, it can incorporate biological structures directly as components in the final systems. Fourth, because it requires that the target structures be the thermdynamically most stable ones open to the system, it tends to produce structures that are relatively defect-free and self-healing.

Self-assembly also poses a number of substantial intellectual challenges. The brief summary of these challenges is that we do not yet know how to do it, and cannot even mimic those processes known to occur in biological systems at other than quite elementary levels. Although there are countless examples of self-assembly all around us--from molecular crystals to mammals--the basic rules that govern these assemblies are not understood in useful detail, and self-assembling processes cannot, in general, be designed and carried out "to order". Many of the ideas that are crucial to the development of this area--"molecular shape", the interplay between enthalpy and entropy, the nature of non-covalent forces that connect the particles in self-assembled molecular aggregates--are simply not yet under the control of investigators.

CAR ASSEMBLY PROCESS:

This guideline is designed to be used by EBRD Financial Intermediaries (FIs) to understand the nature of environmental and social (E&S) risks associated with existing operations in this sector and suggested actions for businesses to take to manage these E&S risks. It also provides guidance for FIs on potential due diligence questions to raise with management to understand how their business is managing these E&S risks. This guideline focuses on material E&S risks; it is not an exhaustive list of E&S risks. In managing E&S risks, all businesses should be compliant with relevant E&S laws and regulations. Where applicable, these include European Union legislation, which may also be taken as a benchmark for good practice. This guideline covers the manufacture and assembly of motor vehicle from a number of metallic, plastic and electrical components