Molecular mills can perform repetitive assembly steps using
simple, efficient mechanisms In conventional manufacturing
processes, the production of large numbers of identical parts is
typically performed by specialized, high-throughput machinery.
Molecular manufacturing can follow the same pattern. This
schematic illustration shows a molecular mill performing a
series of hydrogen deposition operations. A belt carrying
molecular workpieces travels from left to right across the
bottom. A second belt carrying molecular tools enters at the top
left, circles around a bearing-mounted wheel, and exits at the
top right. (Atomic detail in the mechanical parts is suppressed
for simplicity and clarity.) Each tool enters carrying a
hydrogen atom (white) bound to germanium (purple); each
workpiece enters with an upward-facing carbon radical (green).
At the contact point, aided by pressure and thermal vibration,
the hydrogen transfers from the germanium to the carbon, forming
a stronger bond. In chemical terms, the carbon