But it may have potential as a building block which might be manipulated to atomic precision by a much simplified proto-assembler. Any top-down technique which makes bottom-up work easier is welcome in my view. Besides, it contributes more impetus to our goal since, in the public's mind, there is no difference between micro-machine based technology and molecular manufacturing yet and more money in one also brings money into the other.

While it may be nice that people have figured out a way to produce better diamond films or coatings, it still is not molecular nanoassembly, nor is it likely to provide a path to that. Without detracting from the effort that went into this work, it doesn't provide anything towards the goals we really seek. If someone can see otherwise, I'm willing to be corrected. Films that don't degrade as quickly as silicon can be layered to form MEMS that are cheaper to fabricate, and longer lasting. Those MEMS seem to be on the road to molecular nanoassembly, non? Note: I am a relative novice, and so I could be mistaken. Yours truly, Mr. X

While it may be nice that people have figured out a way to produce better diamond films or coatings, it still is not molecular nanoassembly, nor is it likely to provide a path to that. Without detracting from the effort that went into this work, it doesn't provide anything towards the goals we really seek. If someone can see otherwise, I'm willing to be corrected.