There’s still plenty of room at the bottom

MICROmanufacturing recently posted an audio interview with Arthur Chait, the CEO of microfab-system manufacturer EoPlex Technologies Inc.* The articulate Chait had loads of interesting things to share. Many more, regrettably, than would be practical for us to post. MICROmanufacturing recently posted an audio interview with Arthur Chait, the CEO of microfab-system manufacturer EoPlex Technologies Inc.* The articulate Chait had loads of interesting things to share. Many more, regrettably, than would be practical for us to post.

Among the deleted sections of the interview was an anecdote he told about a lecture given at Caltech by famed physicist Richard Feynman in 1959. Titled “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom,” the talk often is credited with inspiring early nanotechnology researchers.

In the lecture, which still vibrates with freshness and the wondrous sense of possibilities inherent in science, Feynman said devices able to control and manipulate atoms could be built. To encourage engineers to begin looking at ways to accomplish this, he offered $1,000 to the first person to produce an operational electric motor that was no more than 1/64 in.³.

Feynman’s challenge was met within a year. But the physicist was disappointed. He had hoped that a new technology would be developed and used to produce the motor. Instead, the prize went to a sure-handed individual using tweezers, a microscope and other watchmaking techniques.

Chait said that today’s manufacturers often take a similar approach when trying to produce meso- and micro-scale parts. They apply time-tested technologies from the macro world, such as machining and assembling.

He noted that motors used in today’s cell phones and other electronic devices, like the prize-winning motor from 50 years ago, are assembled under magnification.

“Assembly is used when you can’t find a better way,” said Chait. He added that better ways exist, but they haven’t found widespread acceptance.

One day they will. And even better methods will be discovered than those that exist on that day.

There will always be plenty of room for superior ideas.

*Click here to listen to MICROmanufacturing’s interview with EoPlex Technologies CEO Arthur Chait.