General Awareness: Nanotechnology Quiz

1. Who is generally credited with the first serious scientific claim that manufacturing on the molecular or even the atomic scale was possible? The claim was made at California Technical Institute and was called, "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom".

a) Richard P. Feynman
b) Ed Regis
c) K. Eric Drexler
d) Ralph Merkle

The correct answer is a) Richard P. Feynman

2. In 1986, Dr. K. Eric Drexler published a book for the layman that gave a wide overview of the potential applications of molecular nanotechnology in such areas as computing, medicine, space science, and the military. What was the name of this ground-breaking book?

a) Smaller is Better
b) Engines of Creation
c) A Crowded Blueprint
d) The Atomic Cookbook

The correct answer is b) Engines of Creation

3. A particular molecule of carbon made up of sixty carbon atoms has received some press as a structure that shows promise as a basic building block in the area of molecular manufacturing. What is the whimsical nontechnical name for these molecules?


a) Fullerrods
b) Nanonodes
c) Buckyballs
d) Nanocubes

The correct answer is c) Buckyballs

4. What is the general name for the class of structures made of rolled up carbon lattices?

a) Nanorods
b) Nanotubes
c) Nanosheets
d) Fullerrods

The correct answer is b) Nanotubes

5. Nano, as a prefix, denotes what order of magnitude?

a) 10^-6
b) 10^-3
c) 10^-12
d) 10^-9

The correct answer is d) 10^-9

6. What is the term used in the field of nanotechnology to describe an as-yet theoretical device that "will be able to bond atoms together in virtually any stable pattern?"

a) Stacker
b) Replicator
c) Assembler
d) Constructor

The correct answer is c) Assembler

7. In discussions of the potential of molecular nanotechnology, the possibility has been posited that badly or maliciously designed self-assembling structures could get out of control, and destroy or disassemble all structures they encounter in their blind quest to replicate. What is the term for such a structure or group of structures?

a) Blue goo
b) Green Goo
c) Red goo
d) Gray goo

The correct answer is d) Gray goo

8. Scientists discussing the potential of molecular nanotechnology realized the possibility that self-assembling molecular constructs could conceivably get out of control and destroy just about anything. This led to the concept that other constructs could be designed to neutralize and/or destroy the rogue substances before they got out of hand. By what colorful term are these theoretical "antibody" substances collectively known?

a) Gray goo
b) Green goo
c) Red goo
d) Blue goo

The correct answer is d) Blue goo

9. Many challenges exist to be overcome before molecular manufacturing can truly reach maturity as an applied science. Which of the following is such a challenge when designing molecular machinery?

a) Thermal noise
b) Complexity of design
c) Quantum fluctuation
d) All of these

The correct answer is d) All of these

10. As of public record at the end of 2002, which country was making the greatest annual investment in molecular nanotechnology research?

a) Russia
b) United States
c) Japan
d) South Korea

The correct answer is c) Japan