IBM has shared with us what they describe as the "World's Smallest Stop-Motion Film." They used scanning tunneling microscopy to re-arrange groups of carbon monoxide molecules to create a video story at the atomic level. I know that I use the term "kewl" way too often in this blog, and I'm tempted to call this technology "groovy" instead. But, considering that IBM was founded in 1911, perhaps even "groovy" is too modern. So, I'm going with the "cat's pajamas," which apparently goes back at least to the 1920s. IBM is remarkable not only for its longevity, but its contribution to scientific research. IBM employees have won five Nobel prizes and created a number of notable inventions, including magnetic stripes, ATMs, UPCs, floppy drives, hard disc drives, and Watson Artificial Intelligence. Check out the IBM wiki for more info and other inventions.
The story conveyed in the video (below left) really isn't nearly as compelling as the technology. Perhaps they should have consulted with the film director Atom Egoyan? (Sorry about that.) As one You Tube commenter noted "Maybe the book was better," another commenter is hoping for "atomic porn." Hmmm.
One of the more intriguing facts, as describe in the "making of" video (below right), is that they can not only see at the atomic level, but they also can actually HEAR the molecules as they are dragged across the surface. One wonders whether their next feat will be molecular rap--or, at least, molecular scratch music. Anyhow, thanks IBM. Maybe your next invention I'll describe as the "cat's meow."
The story conveyed in the video (below left) really isn't nearly as compelling as the technology. Perhaps they should have consulted with the film director Atom Egoyan? (Sorry about that.) As one You Tube commenter noted "Maybe the book was better," another commenter is hoping for "atomic porn." Hmmm.
One of the more intriguing facts, as describe in the "making of" video (below right), is that they can not only see at the atomic level, but they also can actually HEAR the molecules as they are dragged across the surface. One wonders whether their next feat will be molecular rap--or, at least, molecular scratch music. Anyhow, thanks IBM. Maybe your next invention I'll describe as the "cat's meow."
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