Jay A. Lewis wrote:
>If you want nanites to build your house, I'm sure there must be some
>theoretical limit to how fast this could be done. Each atom will take
>time to be moved from a supply source to its final destination.
>Communication between the nanites takes time, their actuators, etc.
Heat will be the major problem. Moving the atoms to their positions quickly will doubtless release a lot of heat (since their momentum has to go somewhere and they are expected to be at rest when placed in the house). If you don't want the entire construction site to start smoldering, you have to slow down the process. This will also save energy.
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