Prevalence of nanotechnology?

[Momaw]

I'm curious if anybody has any thoughts on how common nanotech is in the Iwar universe, circa Iwar2. There are pods of "nano-assemblers" that wander around the freight lanes (and/or wander through my cargo bays....*ahem*), but it doesn't seem like the technology has really matured to the logical destination of using them as a weapon.

So.

Who has nanotech? How much nanotech? What is it used for?

[SchnozBott]

I was under the impression that the player command section, as well as the 'modern' ships it's designed to connect to, rely on nanobots to repair the hull armor. There was some comment about those malfunctioning in one of the encyclopedia comments from Smith about them 'malfunctioning' and putting together some really weird stuff.

[Parias]

Obligatory:

http://members.shaw.ca/alvandyk/assemblers.jpg

[Cambrogol]

I don't know about standard I-war, but in the Epic:Middle States mod I assumed that essentially all materials would be composed of 'nano-materials'. Nano-materials form a crucial layer of the economy, in a way replacing the refinement of raw minerals and ores.
However, we have not integrated any nano-weapons thus far. Worth consideration I think.

[Hamsterlord]

Before we start talking about why nanotech weapons aren't really expanded on in I-War, I would like to reference this website:

http://www.stardestroyer.net/Empire/Tech/Myths/Nanotech.html

While I don't agree with this person's rather blatant philosophic ramblings and I certainly don't approve of the idiotic SW vs. ST theme of the site as a whole, he still makes very valid points on the realistic limitations of nanotechnology.

One of the shining lights of the I-War universe is the fact that fluff technology is avoided except where absolutely necessary, and even then explained in realistic terms. So these limitations should be considered when discussing the general lack of nanoweapons.

Embedding nanites in a metallic goo which is excreted from capillaries in the hull into damaged sections is feasible - the goo can be a conductor of both communications signals and energy to run the buggers, as well as providing a transportation medium.

It's also used in manufacturing... the outer layer of the hull hull of the Dreadnaught, even in the original I-War era, is "nano-deposited" diamond. Whether this means that the material is arranged carefully by some other means in nanoscopic patterns, or that it was actually arranged by nanites, is unclear.

Using it as a weapon would be significantly more difficult to explain realistically.

I can't remember every single mention of nanotech in I-War anymore, but I don't think it was brought up in I-War/Defiance at all outside of the hull armor description. I think it was also in the description of the faulty Mars biobomber mission?

EoC attempted to elaborate more on nanotech in its attempt to beef up the mundane aspects of the universe so that it would seem alive as you plunder it mercilessly. I can't recall any more specific mentions of it in the plot than I can for I-War/Defiance, but there are the following encyclopedia entries:

Electronics > Nanotechnology
Nano Assemblers (Control computers for the nanites?)
Nano Factories (Machines to manufacture nanites, since self-replication is never mentioned?)
Nano Programmers
Nano Surgeons (Medical nanites or control computers specifically designed for medicine?)
Neuroconnectors (Sounds interesting)
Preprog Nanotech (Packaged single use nanotech thingies?)

Electronics > Medical Electronics
Nanosurgery Kits (Nanotech first aid maybe?)

Weapons Systems > NBC Warfare
Nanotech Weapons

[Pa1nG0d]

I read either a comic, article, or book a few years back (before EoC) where nanites were embedded in bullet-form for carbine weapons. When the projectile hit the target, the nanites would cut loose and wreak havoc on whatever the target might be, although I think it was usually a soft target. I remember the bullets cost a small hoarde to purchase.

By that rationale, a ballistic weapon (maybe even a rocket-propelled shell, not seeking) is feasable for an EoC ship mount. The weapon would strike the ship and the nanites could then begin 'bleeding' the ship down to say a maximum of 20% HP. Killing a ship outright with it is too extreme. But you could say that after the drop to 20% that autorepair could kick back in. Kinda like a 'structural disruptor' of sorts.

You guys oughta mod something like that.