I will be happy to engage Drexler at length when I get the chance to do so. I have not, in the last 3 days, >>managed to buy the book and go through the physics in detail. I hope that failure is not enough to condemn me as not acting in good faith.

Absolutely not, and I think this occasioned a useful discussion. But if you have a physics or chemistry >background, I for one would greatly appreciate it if you did so (and the Smalley critique, and perhaps >Locklin below) and posted your take. Also you don't need to buy the book, you should be able to get a copy >at any large university library.

Okay. I'll try and do this. I'm mildly qualified; I'm finishing up a Ph.D. in computational materials science. It will take me a little while to make time for it, but it should be fun! Anyone else who is interested in seeing this discussion feel free to encourage me/let me know.