The molecular machines currently designed in nanotechonology laboratories are confronted with the molecular machines described in Eric K. Drexler's famous Engines of Creation.We argue that the new class of molecular machines coming both from chemistry and molecular electronics, does not fit within the two classical definitions of machines that are used in Drexler's molecular manufacture. Molecular machines are neither standard mechanical machines (Cartesian model), nor complex systems (Von Neumann's model). They consequently call for a new concept of machine more adequate to nano-objects, which is delineated in Richard Jones' Soft Machines. We conclude that nanotechnology still wants a technological approach to molecular machines.
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Guchet, X., Bensaude-Vincent, B. (2008). Nanomachine: Technological Concept or Metaphor?. In: Jotterand, F. (eds) Emerging Conceptual, Ethical and Policy Issues in Bionanotechnology. Philosophy and Medicine, vol 101. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8649-6_3
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