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

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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
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