Smallest periodic table: UK scientists sets world record (HD Video) Nottingham, UK -- Scientists at the Nanotechnology and Nanoscience Centre from the University of Nottingham, England, used an imaging microscope and a beam of accelerated ions to etch the periodic table on a strand of hair, belonging to chemistry professor Martyn Poliakoff - setting the world record for the Smallest periodic table, according to World Records Academy (www.worldrecordsacademy.org).
Photo: Scientists from Nottingham, England, officially broke the Guinness World Record for writing the world's smallest periodic table — engraving it on a single strand of hair.
(enlarge photo)
The Guinness world record for the smallest periodic table was set by the scientists at the University of Nottingham, UK; they used an ion beam writer and electron microscope to carve the periodic table of elements on to a single hair; the table measures just 89.67 x 46.39 microns and approximately one million would fit on a post-it note.
Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the smallest operational telephone, created by Jan Piotr Krutewicz, Munster, USA. It measured just 47.5mm x 10mm x 21mm 1.8in x 0.3in x 0.8 in.
It took the skills of experts in the University's Nanotechnology and Nanoscience Centre, a beam of accelerated gallium ions and clever imaging to create a table so small that a million of them could be replicated on a typical post-it note.
Professor Poliakoff said: "I am delighted. In my wildest nightmares, I have never imagined being in the Guinness World Records, least of all in connection with my hair! The fact that I am is a tribute to the University's Nanotechnology Centre." Photo: Professor Martyn Poliakoff and hair onto which they etched a periodic table. (enlarge photo)
Professor Poliakoff is currently on a lecture tour in Australia where his green chemistry and social media work is getting rave reviews in the media. He is travelling with the creator of the Period Table of Videos, Australian, Brady Haran.
Brady said: "We never set out to break a word record, so it's really a pleasant surprise. The main aim of our videos is getting people to think about chemistry. So having our tiny periodic table printed in such a best-seller can only help our cause."
Guinness World Record for writing the world's smallest periodic table — engraving it on a single strand of hair.
