Material Sciences, Technology & Engineering - Atomically Precise Manufacturing

Problem Statement: Develop a manufacturing system capable of positioning atoms with sub-angstrom precision to build macroscopic structures and devices with atomic precision, operating at economically viable throughput and scale.

Why This Exemplifies the Field: This represents the ultimate goal of materials engineering - complete control over matter at the atomic scale - and would enable materials with theoretically perfect properties, fundamentally transforming manufacturing and technology.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Positional accuracy <0.1 Å for individual atoms or molecules

• Ability to work with at least 20 different elements across the periodic table

• Manufacturing throughput >10⁹ atoms per second

• Error rates <1 per 10¹² operations

• Scalability to create structures of at least 1 mm³

• Closed-loop verification of atomic placement accuracy

• Demonstration of at least three functional devices impossible to create with conventional manufacturing

Feasibility Assessment: Extremely challenging, likely requiring 20-30 years. Current scanning probe techniques can position individual atoms but are far too slow for practical manufacturing. Requires revolutionary approaches to parallel manipulation of atoms. Progress in self-assembly techniques, advanced scanning probe technologies, and molecular machine design would be important precursors.

Impact on the Field: Would transform manufacturing from statistical to deterministic processes. Would enable materials with theoretically perfect properties and defect-free devices. May allow creation of metamaterials with properties not found in nature and quantum devices operating at room temperature.