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"There was a time when one old eccentric guy with a notebook could do something important to science. Now even the resources of a major university are often not enough."
- Jerry Pournelle

Nanobot  
  A robot constructed with nanotechnology.  

As far as I know, this is the first use of this term in science fiction.

I synthesized a nanobot that goes after the things that would normally rot in your mouth while you are sleeping, and changes them into things that taste good.
Technovelgy from Steel Beach, by John Varley.
Published by Ace Putnam in 1992
Additional resources -

Compare to the autofac from Philip K. Dick's 1955 short story of the same name and the ultra-microrobots from A Menace in Miniature (1937), by Raymond Z. Gallun.

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Additional resources:
  More Ideas and Technology from Steel Beach
  More Ideas and Technology by John Varley
  Tech news articles related to Steel Beach
  Tech news articles related to works by John Varley

Articles related to Robotics
Atlas Robot Makes Uncomfortable Movements
Humanoid Robots Tickle The Ivories
Golf Ball Test Robot Wears Them Out
PaXini Supersensitive Robot Fingers

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'Not like me. A T-1000, advanced prototype. A mimetic poly-alloy. Liquid metal.'

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'It was riddled with holes that were the mouths of tunnels.'

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'The massive feet working the pedals, arms and hands flashing and glinting...'

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'On the chest of drawers something was perched.'

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