Scientists Weigh Smallest Mass Ever

PaSTE writes "From the article, 'US scientists have managed to measure the mass of a cluster of xenon atoms at just a few billionths of a trillionth of a gram - or a few zeptograms. The record measurement is in the mass range of individual protein molecules, and the detection was made using sensitive scales developed at Caltech.' Another big leap forward for nanotechnology."

Comments

As my Dad would say

[Stonan]

As big as a dimple on a pimple on a fly's left nut.

Re:As my Dad would say

[mboverload]

Scientist Bill: We have weighed nanoparticles
Scientist Steve: YEAH! F**K YEAH!
CEO: So?
Scientist Bill: Because it's awesome!
CEO: We spent 240 million dollars to weigh things we can't even see?
Scientist Bill: *drunk* Yeah, I know, thats so...trippy...
CEO:Does this bring us any closer to nanobots?
Scientist Steve: Nope
CEO: You're fired
Scientist Bill: I guess this is the time to tell you I did your wife...

Re:As my Dad would say

[FuzzyBad-Mofo]

Scientist Steve: Woooooh! Developers, developers, developers..
Scientist Bill: Quiet, Steve..

first dupe!

[Anonymous Coward]

first dupe!

shock horror

[Anonymous Coward]

They weigh less than the Olson Twins!

But can they weight....

[The-Perl-CD-Bookshel]

Kate Moss?

Re:But can they weight....

[jam244]

Yes, but the numbers only make sense in units of Olsen Twins

Real-Fat Atoms.

[Anonymous Coward]

"'US scientists have managed to measure the mass of a cluster of xenon atoms at just a few billionths of a trillionth of a gram - or a few zeptograms. The record measurement is in the mass range of individual protein molecules, and the detection was made using sensitive scales developed at Caltech.' Another big leap forward for nanotechnology.""

Just what the world needs. Weight conscious atoms.

1 zeptogram = 2.20462262 × 10-24 pounds

[Anonymous Coward]

just in case NASA are reading

Re:1 zeptogram = 2.20462262 × 10-24 pounds

[NanoGator]

"just in case NASA are reading"

Ack! How many NASAs are there??!?

Re:1 zeptogram = 2.20462262 × 10-24 pounds

[Anonymous Coward]

your second example is wrong.

Re:1 zeptogram = 2.20462262 × 10-24 pounds

[first.last]

How many pounds is a harpogram?

Let's separate fact from trolls...

[agraupe]

A lot of people here are saying that "omg it's taco's penis". Let me explain something to these people: for something to have a mass (even if it is exceptionally small) it is first required that it exists. Since this has not been proven satisfactorily, I will say that it is probably taco's brain, which is obviously present (because he keeps posting stories), however very very small.

Boycott reality on April 1st

[thisisauniqueid]

I wish people wouldn't post, you know, real stories on April 1st. Boycott reality for a day. It causes confusion.

Re:Boycott reality on April 1st

[Koiu Lpoi]

I boycott reality every day. It's called Everquest.

Shiny Steel

[pipingguy]

The best thing about nanotechnology is that it seems to require exotic industrial gases, cryogenics and stainless piping and pressure vessels and stuff. Woo-hoo, I've got an automatic in!

The obvious follow-up question...

[Anonymous Coward]

Does this quark make me look fat?

Re:The truth...

[NanoGator]

"It weighs more than Bush's brain."

Tee hee giggle snort. Uh huh.

If you're going to try for a funny, try soemthing where people have to figure it out. Example:

"Mr. Bush was pleased to find that science could finally measure what makes him such a strong leader!"

Okay, not all that funny, but at least it leaves a little more to the imagination. :P

Great

[Xerp]

Thanks for that. Now my girlfriend has a new target weight to reach by next April.

*sigh*