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flatness

Scientists Create Smoothest Mirror Surface Ever

A team at the Autonomous University of Madrid have created what they're calling the smoothest mirror surface ever made. It's flat down to the size scales of individual lead atoms, and was made by depositing lead onto silicon crystal at freakish temperatures of -173 to -133°C. This messes with the quantum properties of electrons in the lead and lets it settle without bunching up as it's warmed up. It's not shiny, or for checking out your hair-do though: the intention is to bend the compound mirror into a convex shape for use in a helium ion microscope. This'll work in similar ways and with similar magnification to an electron microscope, focusing helium ions instead of electrons, which don't damage delicate biological samples. The team's next task is to tackle the bending part. Smooth work, guys. [New Scientist]

11:15 AM on Fri Aug 22 2008
By Kit Eaton
6,973 views, 22 comments

Latest by N/A: @EctoGamad: I bet the "will it blend" guy would disagree. You can blend anything! more »

notes

Notes: Meeting My Crazy Spanish and British Writers

It's been a happy day in the way that I finally met Jesús and Addy (of Gizmodo) and there was none of that meeting you for the first time but not-on-the-internet weirdness you usually get. I landed in Madrid last night and Jesús had all his coolant drop out of his sports car like its water broke, so we ended up towing the thing and taking a cab out of there. The airport was the most beautiful I've ever seen up close, made of concrete, orange pillars, curvy wooden ceilings and lots of glass. More »

11:45 AM on Fri Feb 8 2008
By Brian Lam
3,135 views, 35 comments

Latest by Ben Zvan: @warkrismagic: There were a couple of posts that alluded to it, but I don't think it's been said out loud more »

home entertainment

PS3 European Launch: A Continent Yawns and Continues Picking Its Nose

You've already heard about the free tellies and taxis over in London, well this is how the PS3 was welcomed in France - with a gallic shrug. Just 60 per cent of its 100,000 available units have been reserved, a smattering of press attended the official launch - and a pleasure boat coated with Xbox logos parked itself next to the Eiffel Tower for that all-important photo-op before chugging up and down the Seine. Yes, it was Microsoft who pulled out all the stops and got first dibs on what little press attention there was. More »

6:20 AM on Fri Mar 23 2007
By www.gizmodo.com
3,209 views, 18 comments

Latest by Troy_Powers: Still waiting on an article on how the PS3 just shattered sales records for home consoles in the UK. more »