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| Definition: A specific type of assembler that makes use of self-assembly such that the assembly process would theoretically not require external energy or information input. | |
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Note: This term has been used in the past to refer to an assembler that "assembles copies of itself" meaning it self-replicates (see definition of self-replication). However, self-assembly is far more important to the assembly of atomically precise devices than is self-replication. Thus, I refer to such a still hypothetical device that might assemble exact copies of itself as a self-replicating assembler.
Acknowledgement: Thank you Chris Phoenix for the relevant discussion.