Nanotechnology is making it possible for scientists to move single atoms. Currently, we have the ability to slowly drag individual atoms across a smooth surface using the tip of a scanning probe microscope. While manipulation in this fashion can form very basic two-dimensional structures, such as nano-sized letters or shapes, there is a lot of work ahead to build 3D objects. As nanotechnology progresses in its ability to manipulate and control the position of atoms, atomic engineering will become a reality.
Use your finger as the tip of a scanning probe microscope to build a structure, atom by atom. Select a shape and move atoms to complete the outline of the shape. This procedure could one day allow scientists to custom build all sorts of nano sized structures from the ground up. Use your imagination...the possibilities are endless!
Choose your atom
- Home
-
Credits
Module 1 : SEM Image Gallery
Images provided by the National Institute of Nanotechnology, University of Alberta
Module 2: Scale of Nano
Exploratorium: Developed for the NISE Network with funding from the National Science Foundation under Award Numbers 0532536 and 0940143.
Module 3: What is Nano?
Dr. Nils Petersen, Director General, NINT, Micralyne
Maziyar Khorasani, VP Business Development, Biolithic CorporationModule 4: Quantum Dot Animation
Video provided by Robert A. Wolkow, University of Alberta
Module 5: The Numbers on Nano
Palmberg, C., H. Dernis, and C. Miguet. 2009. Nanotechnology: An Overview Based on Indicators and Statistics. STI Working Paper 2009/7: Statistical Analyis of Science, Technology and Industry. OECD.
Module 7: Nano in Nature, World's Smallest
Car
Images and video provided by James Tour, Rice University.
Guitar
Images and video provided by Harold Craighead, Cornell University.
Card
Image provided by David Cummings, University of Glasgow.
Snowman
Images and video provided by David Cox, National Physical Laboratory
Map
Image provided by Paul Rothemund, Caltech.
Image and video provided by IBM – Zurich Research.Gecko
Images provided by Kellar Autumn, Lewis & Clark College.
Images provided by Bjorn Christian Torrissen
Video provided by the Anthony Russell, University of Calgary.Lotus
Video provided by Nanoyou, and The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement n° 233433.
Beetle
Image provided by Jeremy Galusha, University of Utah.
Moth
Paivanranta, B., T. Saastamoinen, and M. Kuittinen. 2009. A wide-angle antireflection surface for the visible spectrum. Nanotechnology. 20(37): 1-7.
Image provided by Dartmouth Electron Microscope Facility, Dartmouth College