World’s smallest snowman

Just in time for Christmas, scientists at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) have created the world’s smallest snowman, which measures just 0.01 mm across. The snowman was pieced together using very high tech machinery that is normally used to assemble nano objects.

The snowman was made from 2 tiny tin beads welded with platinum, and the scientists used something called an ion beam to carve the eyes and the smile. Another particle of platinum was used for the nose, which measures just 0.001 mm across.

“The snowman is mounted on a silicon cantilever from an atomic force microscope whose sharp tip ‘feels’ surfaces creating topographic surveys at almost atomic scales,” says the NPL.

If this snowman was presented to you, it would just look like a mere speck of dust. A snowflake is about the same size as the snowman.

Photo: Dr Cox / National Physical Laboratory

Source: The Register UK