Scientists Create World's Smallest Scannable QR Code Using Single Atoms
Researchers have developed a QR code measuring just 50 by 50 nanometers, potentially setting a new world record. This microscopic code, constructed from individual silver atoms, is scannable by mobile phones and is significantly smaller than previous record holders. The breakthrough, utilizing quantum tunneling, has implications for data storage and security.
Key points
- A QR code measuring 50 by 50 nanometers has been created by researchers from Monash University and the Czech Academy of Sciences.
- Each pixel of the QR code is made from individual silver atoms, positioned using a scanning tunneling microscope.
- Despite its minuscule size, the QR code is scannable using a standard mobile phone.
- This development is approximately 800 times smaller than the previous Guinness World Record for the smallest QR code.
A team of scientists from Monash University's School of Physics and Astronomy, collaborating with the Czech Academy of Sciences, has engineered a groundbreakingly small QR code. Measuring a mere 50 by 50 nanometers, this new code is poised to shatter existing Guinness World Records.
What sets this achievement apart is the method of construction. Each pixel within the QR code is composed of individual silver atoms. These atoms are precisely applied to a mounting surface using advanced techniques like quantum tunneling and automation, with human intervention for fine-tuning. This level of precision allows for the creation of a scannable code that is roughly 800 times smaller than the previous record holder, which itself had pixels measuring 49 nanometers.
Remarkably, the functionality of this microscopic QR code has been verified; it can be successfully scanned using a mobile phone. This breakthrough holds potential significance for ultra-dense data storage solutions and advanced security applications, demonstrating the capabilities of manipulating matter at the atomic level.
Sources
The WireByte editorial team synthesises technology news from multiple primary sources, verifies the facts, and links every source. Articles are produced with AI assistance and reviewed under our editorial policy.