Micro Tetris

Jeroen writes "Students from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam used a so-called 'optical trap' to construct a version of Tetris that measures 25 x 20 micrometers. Blocks are constructed from tiny glass beads and all the action takes place in a waterdrop under a microscope. Considering the equipment needed, this must not only be the smallest, but also the most expensive Tetris clone around. A short description and a movie can be found here."

Comments

Uh-huh

[(trb001)]

I'm sure this is one of those discoveries where someone said "Oh, neat!" and 6 months/1 year from now we'll have cured cancer based on it. But I can't help but think, right now, "Why?"

--trb

glass microspheres

[GigsVT]

Glass microspheres are fun to play with. You can order them from many places online. They sometimes act in surprising ways.

An example If you pour some on a glass of water (they float), they form a skin on top of the water.. you can then stick your finger down into the water, and withdraw it without your finger getting wet.