Ion-etching on human hair

Science
Ion-etching on human hair
mcmasterhair.jpg

While Joel Johnson of Boing Boing Gadgets was at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, he was shown this amazing picture of the McMaster school logo Ion-etched onto a human hair:

Dr. LaPierre’s group used a focus ion beam microscope (FIB) to shoot a beam of gallium ions at the surface of a human hair, carving atoms off the of the surface of the hair to etch these McMaster University logos. When not tattooing hair, they’ll use the FIB microscope to fabricate nanoscale devices.

University Logo Carved Onto Human Hair with Focused Ion Beam

8 thoughts on “Ion-etching on human hair

  1. sam says:

    that very impressive

  2. dean says:

    “I think it was manufactured. Look. Finest quality. Superior workmanship. There is a maker’s serial number 9906947-XB71. Interesting. Not fish. Snake scale.”

  3. icanryme2002 says:

    very interesting except for the fact that McMaster is in Hamilton

  4. pat says:

    Dean, you beat me to it.

Comments are closed.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

View more articles by Gareth Branwyn

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK