Scientists design world’s tiniest Cupid of carbon
15 Feb 2013 5:49 AM IST
Scientists have created the world's tiniest known Cupid from carbon nanotubules, with its arm just the width of a human hair. Researchers from the Brigham Young University (BYU) created the Cupid measuring a few hundred nanometres from foot to bow. In classical mythology, Cupid is the god of desire, erotic love, and affection depicted with his bow.
The team first created the bow-wielding cherub shape with microscopic iron beads. They then blasted the beads with a puff of heated gas, which triggered the microscopic beads to transform into carbon nanotubules only 20 atoms across.
‘Blowing on it or touching it would destroy it,’ BYU physics professor Robert Davis said. Along with BYU physicist Richard Vanfleet, Davis is working to develop methods to strengthen the nanotube structures with metals and other materials, LiveScience reported. One application is building itsy-bitsy nanofilters with great precision - these filters have holes about a tenth the circumference of a human hair, each perfectly spaced.
AFGHAN WOMEN MARK V-DAY WITH MARCH
Dozens of Afghan activists have marked Valentine's Day by marching in Kabul to denounce violence against women. Concern has risen after rights organizations last year found that Afghan women are frequently victims of violence despite a law against it and increased prosecution of abusers. Rights activist Humaira Rasouli says the marchers want violence against women ‘to be eliminated or at least reduced in Afghanistan,’ but unfortunately it ‘is increasing day to day.’ Riot police stood guard as male and female activists walked from the landmark Darul Aman Palace outside of Kabul to an area near parliament.
The team first created the bow-wielding cherub shape with microscopic iron beads. They then blasted the beads with a puff of heated gas, which triggered the microscopic beads to transform into carbon nanotubules only 20 atoms across.
‘Blowing on it or touching it would destroy it,’ BYU physics professor Robert Davis said. Along with BYU physicist Richard Vanfleet, Davis is working to develop methods to strengthen the nanotube structures with metals and other materials, LiveScience reported. One application is building itsy-bitsy nanofilters with great precision - these filters have holes about a tenth the circumference of a human hair, each perfectly spaced.
AFGHAN WOMEN MARK V-DAY WITH MARCH
Dozens of Afghan activists have marked Valentine's Day by marching in Kabul to denounce violence against women. Concern has risen after rights organizations last year found that Afghan women are frequently victims of violence despite a law against it and increased prosecution of abusers. Rights activist Humaira Rasouli says the marchers want violence against women ‘to be eliminated or at least reduced in Afghanistan,’ but unfortunately it ‘is increasing day to day.’ Riot police stood guard as male and female activists walked from the landmark Darul Aman Palace outside of Kabul to an area near parliament.
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