Nanotechnology (X-Com: Gray Dawn Research Project)

Overview

Nanotechnology is generally understood as the manipulation of materials at the atomic, molecular or macro-molecular level. In popular culture, nanotech often refers to extremely tiny "machines" that can perform sundry tasks at a minute scale; when multiplied by the millions or billions of "nanomachines" or nanites at work, it is theorized that significant macro-scale results can be achieved. Nanotech can also refer to painstakingly organized molecular structures, such as carbon nanotubes that can have remarkable properties based on the fact that ordinary materials such as carbon or gold can have unexpected properties when acted upon in a "nano" scale as opposed to macro-scale chemical or physical reactions.

Applications

The following are some of the theorized uses of nanotechnology:

Compilers
Decompilers
Nanofabs
Nanomaterials
Nanomachines
Swarm Behavior
Phased Arrays

Known Encounters

Members of the Elma resistance have had several encounters with alien nanotechnology. The most notable early encounter was the contamination of the Elma municipal water supply by alien agents. They dumped an unknown amount of "nanotoxin" into the water at the water treatment plant, ultimately resulting in the deaths of several dozen locals. These nanomachines appeared to attack the nervous system, disrupting the brain's ability to send impulses at a most basic level. In victims of nanotoxin poisoning, this resulted in unconsciousness and heart failure. If this wasn't immediately fatal through external life-saving efforts, prolonged exposure to the nanotoxin caused complete systemic organ failure.

The excavator probes are believed to operate through the use of nanotechnology.

Spraycrete alters the physical structure of certain organic and inorganic molecules, reshaping them into an extremely durable nanomaterial that shares a macro-scale similarity with ordinary concrete. It is applied in aerosol form, and during application, the inert nanites (which behave in aggregate form as a liquid) are "activated" when they pass through a specifically modulated electric field.

Research

Based on alien technology gathered, the initial research into Principles of Nanotechnology could yield a wealth of information regarding several manufacturing methods. It would likely make possible the reproduction of extremely complex structures and materials.