COOL! Is Eric doing it? Is this the beginning of the crowdsourced nanotech era?
On Wed, Jul 16, 2025 at 12:47 PM John Clark <[email protected]> wrote: > > > ---------- Forwarded message --------- > From: Eric Drexler <[email protected]> > Date: Tue, Jul 15, 2025 at 6:13 PM > Subject: MSEP: A Platform for Molecular Systems Engineering > To: <[email protected]> > > > MSEP is a free, open-source platform for designing and simulating > atomically precise nanomechanical systems — a tool for exploring the > foundations of future physical technologies. > ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ > ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ > ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ > ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ > ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ > ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ > ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ > ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ > ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ > ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ > ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ > ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ > ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ > ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ > ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ > ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ > ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ > ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ > ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ > Forwarded this email? Subscribe here > <https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9haXByb3NwZWN0cy5zdWJzdGFjay5jb20vc3Vic2NyaWJlP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWVtYWlsLXN1YnNjcmliZSZyPTZ4M25uJm5leHQ9aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZhaXByb3NwZWN0cy5zdWJzdGFjay5jb20lMkZwJTJGbXNlcC1hLXBsYXRmb3JtLWZvci1tb2xlY3VsYXItc3lzdGVtcyIsInAiOjE2ODAxNjU1MCwicyI6MjE1MzEyNSwiZiI6dHJ1ZSwidSI6MTE2MjIwODMsImlhdCI6MTc1MjYxNzYzNywiZXhwIjoyMDY4MTkzNjM3LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6ImxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3QifQ.1cvgS615dcrU_g2WTV82rHW0JmbRDWALY8UwJHywRlo?> > for more > MSEP: A Platform for Molecular Systems Engineering > <https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=2153125&post_id=168016550&utm_source=post-email-title&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=6x3nn&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoxMTYyMjA4MywicG9zdF9pZCI6MTY4MDE2NTUwLCJpYXQiOjE3NTI2MTc2MzcsImV4cCI6MTc1NTIwOTYzNywiaXNzIjoicHViLTIxNTMxMjUiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.zzHliM56wkk01mvJxVPNart5fm3p5zir7IqEx_zqWXQ>MSEP > is a free, open-source platform for designing and simulating atomically > precise nanomechanical systems — a tool for exploring the foundations of > future physical technologies. > > Jul 15 > > > <https://substack.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.bLm4Nmuwpf7dOSYjVYZ-KybUhbDC5oQnSnQqR0Svjso?&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email> > > READ IN APP > <https://open.substack.com/pub/aiprospects/p/msep-a-platform-for-molecular-systems?utm_source=email&redirect=app-store&utm_campaign=email-read-in-app> > > > <https://substack.com/redirect/14b51589-8ed9-433e-8cf1-e015747555e9?j=eyJ1IjoiNngzbm4ifQ.I1PMvYo4mI3PquTDRhL5Dev-9_ouIq3kw6ZhrVNsy8o> > Dense > covalent machinery: A nanoscale differential gear (internal components only) > > The nanoscale mechanism above exists only in simulation today: each sphere > represents an atom, and current chemistry can’t guide reactions to form the > necessary bonds. Dense, precisely patterned covalent structures like this > can’t yet be made, but you can design them now and study how they would > work. > > Why develop tools for designing molecular machines that we can't yet > build? When AI crosses critical capability thresholds, barriers to > development will fall, and machines built on these principles will > transform the foundations of physical technology. Understanding these > prospects is important, and understanding requires concrete exploration. > > <https://substack.com/redirect/84f2ee5d-6a94-4d32-846a-c691a37153e3?j=eyJ1IjoiNngzbm4ifQ.I1PMvYo4mI3PquTDRhL5Dev-9_ouIq3kw6ZhrVNsy8o> > Universal > joint based on crossed hinges > > *MSEP: Exploring the World of Molecular Machines* > > Today marks the public launch of v1.0 of MSEP, the Molecular Systems > Engineering Platform. MSEP provides what has been missing: extensible, > open-source tools for exploring the space of molecular machines through > direct graphical manipulation and simulation. Think Minecraft for > molecules, but with physics constraints and atomic precision. > > MSEP makes molecular machinery a concrete, explorable domain. Users design > mechanical systems, assembling structures and observing their behavior > under realistic molecular dynamics.¹ Platform extensions will grow the > scope of both design and simulation. > > Computational tools for molecular simulation have matured over decades, > but simulation and intuitive design capabilities rarely intersect. > Scientists, understandably, study what exists or can be made in the > laboratory, but physical models have no such constraint. It’s only design > that calls for different tools. The challenge is to create an environment > that combines physics tools with design tools, and to make the software > easy to install and easy to use — download, launch, and click to build.² > > Built on a modern game engine, MSEP delivers the responsiveness and visual > quality users expect from contemporary software, integrated with a modern, > extensible architecture that treats physics engines as plug-ins. The > platform currently provides atomistic molecular dynamics simulation, with > planned extensions including open-source quantum chemistry > <https://substack.com/redirect/95e38425-84e1-4522-b45c-e111125e3a92?j=eyJ1IjoiNngzbm4ifQ.I1PMvYo4mI3PquTDRhL5Dev-9_ouIq3kw6ZhrVNsy8o> > and machine-oriented multi-scale modeling. > > *Full disclosure: I’ve helped to support and steer the MSEP development > project.* > *Strategic Leverage Through Early Design* > > The path from today's protein engineering to self-assembled molecular 3D > printer mechanisms (frameworks, moving parts, stepper motors) is clear in > outline. This massively parallel molecular positioning capabilitity opens > many paths forward forward, though none have yet been described in detail. > It is a curious fact that these uncertain paths converge on predictable > capabilities that enable atomically precise mass fabrication > <https://substack.com/redirect/2c657436-4cd7-48a9-a6a4-9b8ee341eeab?j=eyJ1IjoiNngzbm4ifQ.I1PMvYo4mI3PquTDRhL5Dev-9_ouIq3kw6ZhrVNsy8o> > (APMF). It’s like being able to survey the slopes of mountains in the > distance without a map of the landscape nearby.³ > > When AI systems gain the ability to navigate this path, generative > nanotechnologies > <https://substack.com/redirect/2c657436-4cd7-48a9-a6a4-9b8ee341eeab?j=eyJ1IjoiNngzbm4ifQ.I1PMvYo4mI3PquTDRhL5Dev-9_ouIq3kw6ZhrVNsy8o> > will be fundamental to the hypercapable world I've described — greatly > amplifying AI's impact on physical capabilities. This aligns with the > broader trajectory of AI-driven transformation. Advanced AI will expand our > general > implementation capacity > <https://substack.com/redirect/17f0c260-daf9-4d86-9f26-d70b3ed78ca1?j=eyJ1IjoiNngzbm4ifQ.I1PMvYo4mI3PquTDRhL5Dev-9_ouIq3kw6ZhrVNsy8o> > — the ability to design, develop, and deploy complex systems at scale. > Molecular systems represent a critical domain where design exploration > today can illuminate the landscape of tomorrow's possibilities. > > The feedback dynamics deserve emphasis: AI model training requires > computational resources that currently consume enormous energy, but > atomically precise fabrication will enable post-lithographic devices with > million-fold improvements in energy efficiency. When these capabilities > converge, the acceleration will be dramatic. > *An Invitation to Build* > > MSEP is available today for Mac, Windows, and Linux at MSEP.one > <https://substack.com/redirect/0aef7958-cdf0-4512-8eb9-4609d04819dc?j=eyJ1IjoiNngzbm4ifQ.I1PMvYo4mI3PquTDRhL5Dev-9_ouIq3kw6ZhrVNsy8o>. > Download it, explore the physics and — when you’ve developed the skills — > share what you create. Fair warning: designing molecular mechanisms > combines creative imagination with intricate puzzle-solving. It can be > addictive. > > The newly established MSEP Foundation (Dutch: Stichting MSEP) will > coordinate development and community growth. For those who recognize the > strategic importance of building understanding before capabilities arrive, > I invite you to support this effort. > » Donate here > <https://substack.com/redirect/4cfefdf8-8f05-47b8-838d-f2010c7859e0?j=eyJ1IjoiNngzbm4ifQ.I1PMvYo4mI3PquTDRhL5Dev-9_ouIq3kw6ZhrVNsy8o> > > <https://substack.com/redirect/bcf5d16c-4582-488d-ae7c-6f60fdbc8ff4?j=eyJ1IjoiNngzbm4ifQ.I1PMvYo4mI3PquTDRhL5Dev-9_ouIq3kw6ZhrVNsy8o> > Dense > covalent machinery: A nanoscale planetary gear (cutaway view) > Subscribed > <https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9haXByb3NwZWN0cy5zdWJzdGFjay5jb20vYWNjb3VudCIsInAiOjE2ODAxNjU1MCwicyI6MjE1MzEyNSwiZiI6dHJ1ZSwidSI6MTE2MjIwODMsImlhdCI6MTc1MjYxNzYzNywiZXhwIjoyMDY4MTkzNjM3LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6ImxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3QifQ.0zE_OLIpD2-hrYPt05U-298Z5MP0m_INNGI76SN4ojw?> > 1 > > Professional computational chemists will recognize that novices can easily > build structures that silently violate the conditions for model validity. > MSEP v1.0 includes some basic checks, and an integrated Python environment > will support the development of additional guardrails and other forms of > support for new users. > 2 > > Point-and-click assembly is an effective way to construct atomic > structures for computational models, but real-world fabrication will > require sequences of guided encounters between reactive molecules. > 3 > > Densely bonded covalent structures are extraordinarily stable and readily > modeled using molecular dynamics methods, yet intricate architectures of > this kind are among the most difficult (today, impossible) to synthesize by > conventional chemical means. Their fabrication will require mechanically > constrained chemical operations, themselves implemented by > post-biomolecular machinery. At every stage, design is the central > challenge — one that advanced AI will eventually meet. > > Restack > <https://substack.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.bLm4Nmuwpf7dOSYjVYZ-KybUhbDC5oQnSnQqR0Svjso?&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email> > > > © 2025 Eric Drexler > Trajan House, Mill St, Oxford OX2 0DJ UK > Unsubscribe > <https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9haXByb3NwZWN0cy5zdWJzdGFjay5jb20vYWN0aW9uL2Rpc2FibGVfZW1haWw_dG9rZW49ZXlKMWMyVnlYMmxrSWpveE1UWXlNakE0TXl3aWNHOXpkRjlwWkNJNk1UWTRNREUyTlRVd0xDSnBZWFFpT2pFM05USTJNVGMyTXpjc0ltVjRjQ0k2TVRjNE5ERTFNell6Tnl3aWFYTnpJam9pY0hWaUxUSXhOVE14TWpVaUxDSnpkV0lpT2lKa2FYTmhZbXhsWDJWdFlXbHNJbjAuLWZUbmxzeWp2TE9lbkg4RnVOTGNXQk9DYjFqVUV5YUVUQXZzNi1VaTZwUSIsInAiOjE2ODAxNjU1MCwicyI6MjE1MzEyNSwiZiI6dHJ1ZSwidSI6MTE2MjIwODMsImlhdCI6MTc1MjYxNzYzNywiZXhwIjoyMDY4MTkzNjM3LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6ImxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3QifQ.Yap83UbHaT-iezFphcKFTtFI3AN0OOui1ZDXdJs62xU?> > > [image: Get the app] > <https://substack.com/redirect/c9f95a73-3923-4227-860c-cbb062c413de?j=eyJ1IjoiNngzbm4ifQ.I1PMvYo4mI3PquTDRhL5Dev-9_ouIq3kw6ZhrVNsy8o>[image: > Start writing] > <https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9zdWJzdGFjay5jb20vc2lnbnVwP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9c3Vic3RhY2smdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1mb290ZXImdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWF1dG9maWxsZWQtZm9vdGVyJmZyZWVTaWdudXBFbWFpbD1qb2hua2NsYXJrQGdtYWlsLmNvbSZyPTZ4M25uIiwicCI6MTY4MDE2NTUwLCJzIjoyMTUzMTI1LCJmIjp0cnVlLCJ1IjoxMTYyMjA4MywiaWF0IjoxNzUyNjE3NjM3LCJleHAiOjIwNjgxOTM2MzcsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViIjoibGluay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.G_MW93Shs_3dkn5pMGZ1irXIVvFQOfy-ubKByfNBz90?> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "extropolis" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/extropolis/CAJPayv1FZ%3DaCS%2BdT5E2zPfX-xD0UfkmVJQTVfE7qB1khZ%2BOdig%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/extropolis/CAJPayv1FZ%3DaCS%2BdT5E2zPfX-xD0UfkmVJQTVfE7qB1khZ%2BOdig%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Everything List" group. 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