I’m reading about an interesting open-source project called “FPath”.
It’s all about 3D printing at the tiniest scale. Tiniest, like molecules and atoms.
The project is inspired by physicist Richard Feynman’s classic 1959 talk, “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom”. The talk was delivered again in 1984, and you can watch it here:
Feynman explored the tremendous differences in scale that exist in the universe. We humans operate in a familiar space, where objects can be handled. However, molecules are far smaller and in theory could be assembled into useful machines.
But how to do this? Feynman proposed a method where you’d build a machine that can build small tools. Then you use those tools to build an even smaller machine. Repeat multiple times and eventually you might get a device that can build extraordinarily tiny machines.
Unfortunately, this concept has not been fully explored in the 65 years since the talk took place. This is most likely because industry found easier ways to achieve small-scale manufacturing, particularly in the semiconductor industry. However, only certain types of objects can be made using these methods, and a way to produce tiny machines in general remains elusive.
The Path project intends on trying the sequence proposed by Feynman: build ever smaller machines. So far, four experiments have been completed:
- FPath Experiment 001 is now complete. This uses image recognition to drive a colored square on a rotating platform as close as possible to a different colored square which is off of that platform. The primary purpose of this experiment is to test out the closed loop hardware and software control in the tool path. The goal of moving the colored squares was just implemented to give the experiment a definitive target and end point.
- FPath Experiment 002 is now complete. This experiment builds on the results of FPath Experiment 001 and uses a virtual static target entity. Also introduced was the ability to overlay the webcam stream with a semi-transparent image.
- FPath Experiment 003 is now complete. This experiment was primarily intended to improve the hardware and software platforms used in the FPath project, As a demonstration, it controls two DC Gear Motors configured as an XY stage via pulse width modulation. Red and green squares are identified via image recognition and the red square is moved onto the position of the virtual green square. Extensive use is made of LEGO bricks to form a precise, inexpensive, strong and rapidly re-configurable experimental apparatus.
- FPath Experiment 004 is now complete. This experiment demonstrates the controlled motion of a movable red circle over a virtual linear path drawn in the color green. The green path is removed as the circle moves over it. As the red circle moves along, it can lay down a colored “trail” which forms a return path. When there is no more of the green path to follow, the red circle will follow the return path back to the start.
Where could this work end up? No one knows, but it is a path that should be explored. It’s possible it could ultimately result in a kind of micro-sized 3D printer that could assemble molecules into arbitrary geometries, but that is clearly many years away.
Via Of Itself So
