Spindli

Spindli is a fictional term used in speculative science fiction and thought experiments to describe autonomous, nanoscale agents capable of manipulating matter at the molecular level. The concept emphasizes slender, flexible bodies and distributed control, allowing many units to coordinate to perform complex tasks.

In typical depictions, spindli are tiny rods or filaments, often ranging from tens to hundreds of nanometers in diameter. They move under external fields (magnetic, electric, or chemical gradients) or via simple internally powered propulsion. Each unit carries basic sensing capabilities and can communicate with nearby spindli to achieve coordinated action. Through torsional actuation or tip-based manipulation, spindli can twist, bend, or stitch fibers, align crystalline axes, or assemble nano-structures.

Applications in fiction include nanoscale manufacturing, targeted material repair, and tissue engineering, where swarms of spindli mend defects or fabricate complex composites with high precision. The concept is used to explore issues of swarm robotics, control in distributed systems, energy efficiency, error handling, and safety.

In the real world, spindli have no established existence as a technology; the term appears sporadically in speculative literature and academic thought experiments as a model to discuss nanoscale autonomy and fabrication.

Cultural use: The term has appeared in some indie games and short fiction as a plot device representing microscopic agents.