Can we use nanotechnology to change one element to another?

[Dobbsjr]

I know it's not possible now, but if the technology advances enough will we be able to change matter on the molecular level?

[I need a better name]

we've already been able to do this, it's called alchemy

[stconquest]

Called molecular engineering I believe... been done for decades now.

[VioDuskar]

I know it's not possible now, but if the technology advances enough will we be able to change matter on the molecular level?

nano tech will never be able to exert enough force to fuze protons. we need cold or controllable fusion to do so. 

breaking down large proton clusters is easy, that's simple fission. 

[Enderman]

we've already been able to do this, it's called alchemy

no its called nuclear synthesis

 

you cannot transmute elements through alchemy

thats what the idiots thousands of years ago though

[REDHOTIRON2004]

First of all elements cannot be changed. They can only be compounded with other elements etc to form newer material like stainless steel.

Secondly, nano technology have nothing to do with changing the properties of any metal. It is simply the miniaturization of known process/technology through the use of exotic materials such as carbon nano tubes etc.

And lastly the only way an element be changed or created through fusion or fission.

Scientists were able to create Gold(Au). By bombarding some matel and changing it's nucleus or changing it's electron orbit( something on those lines).

But, the created gold metal was so much radioactive that it couldn't be used for any application.

Apart from fusion or fission. There is no known way to create a new metal. Metals are inert in nature.

Stainless steel is a material(men made). While aluminum, gold etc are metals that only occur naturally in nature and cannot be created by man in normal circumstances/process.

[I need a better name]

no its called nuclear synthesis

 

you cannot transmute elements through alchemy

thats what the idiots thousands of years ago though

we could do it if we had a philosopher's stone

[ICantThinkOfAnyGoodName]

we've already been able to do this, it's called alchemy

Actually the name for the science of transmuting one element into another is "nuclear physics".

[Thunderpup]

Nanites are not likely to ever be able to change the atomic structure of elements; however they may be used to construct the equipment that we use to do just that on a massive scale.

[Guest]

AFAIK the process is far more expensive than anything you could possibly gain by doing so

[Hammer]

Yes, but it requires huge amounts of energy. For instance lead have been transmutated into gold (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_transmutation).

So as whitephoenix says above, it's more expensive than anything you can gain by doing so (except proof of concept ofc.)

[as96]

If we can make sugar free sugar we can make everything