The World s Smallest Christmas Tree is Designed by a Delft University Student Published December 23rd, 2020 - 10:34 GMT
The largest artificial Christmas tree resides in Sri Lanka (pictured), which stands more than 236 feet tall and made the Guinness World Records for its height. However, Williams’ tiny artificial tree may be an even greater achievement. (AFP/File)
Highlights
It consists of 51 individual atoms and measures just four nanometers tall.
Many people strive to find the largest tree for the holidays, but one student has done just the opposite – she created the world’s smallest Christmas tree.
Maura Williams from Delft University of Technology designed a festive tree made of individual atoms that is just four nanometers tall – without counting the tree-topper.
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Date: 6 August 2020
Digital Design and Fabrication
This paper was first presented at GPD 2019 by Lenk, P. and Vitalis, D. from Arup, London.
Abstract
Evolution in the design is now in the digital space, where a myriad of permutations can be processed in seconds and optimal options identified. Digital workflows, hand in hand with digital fabrication, are certainly on the minds of many engineers in the construction industry. In this paper, we will expand on our current research looking into composite glass structures. We will focus on how to improve parametric design and generalize workflows. We will research possibilities in current digital fabrication techniques and identify possible methods applicable in structural glass and adhesives.
Many people strive to find the largest tree for the holidays, but one student has done just the opposite – she created the world’s smallest Christmas tree.
Maura Williams from Delft University of Technology designed a festive tree made of individual atoms that is just four nanometers tall – without counting the tree-topper.
Williams used a device that allowed her to scan each atom and change their position to form the iconic shape.
The structure consists of 51 atoms from a perfect crystal lattice, all of which translates as the size of a DNA strand or 40,000 times smaller than a human hair.
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NWA funding for communications research on quantum computing
Leiden physicist Julia Cramer receives 50 thousand euros in funding for ‘Let’s talk about quantum’, a research project on communication about quantum computing. A project for high school students by education expert Henk Buisman is also included in the NEWA ELSA funding.
‘New technologies such as nanotechnology, nuclear energy or stem cell transplantation gave rise to societal debate’, says Julia Cramer. Often, the questions and concerns of the general public are quite different from those of scientists.
Quantum computing and quantum information technology are upcoming technologies, supported by massive efforts by scientists. Quantum mechanics is used to accelerate certain computations inherently, including AI-applications. The technology also offers new possibilities in secure communication.