Grey Goo
One potential scenario that has been envisioned is out-of-control self-replicating molecular assemblers in the form of grey goo which consumes carbon to continue its replication. If unchecked such mechanical replication could potentially consume whole ecoregions or the whole Earth (ecophagy), or it could simply outcompete natural lifeforms for necessary resources such as carbon, ATP, or UV light (which some nanomotor examples run on). It is worth noting that the ecophagy and 'grey goo' scenarios, like synthetic molecular assemblers, are based upon still-theoretical technologies that have not yet been demonstrated experimentally.
Read more about this topic: Molecular Assembler
Famous quotes containing the words grey and/or goo:
“Fretted shadow on stumps
A vanishing husk
Of light . . . grey lumps
Of stone verge the hills with fears.
It is quickly dusk.”
—Allen Tate (1899–1979)
“Since I do miss your vaice an’ feace
In prayer at eventide,
I’ll pray wi’ woone said vaice vor greace
To goo where you do bide;”
—William Barnes (1801–1886)