With the help of a molecular mold composed of exactly 188 atoms, researchers have been able to impose textures at an even smaller atomic scale on a metal surface.
STEP TRAINING. Seen from above, a molecular mold (gray) organizes top-layer copper atoms (yellow) into a two-atom-wide protrusion. Rosei et al./Science
The structures created–strips of copper exactly two atoms wide by seven long–will probably not prove of practical value.
Log in
Subscribers, enter your e-mail address for full access to the Science News archives and digital editions.