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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."

3 of 199 comments (clear)

  1. A related article by tepples · · Score: 5, Insightful

    A related article from less than 24 hours ago covers another use of the nanomechanical scale developed at Caltech. This article is not exactly a dupe because it talks about a different application of the same scale.

  2. A few xenon atoms.. Whoppie-doo by Enrique1218 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The smallest mass ever measured would have to go to the electron. However, the measurement does not involve a scale but rather manipulation of electric fields. Moreover, scientists have shown that nuetrinos do in fact have mass (previously thought to be massless) and soon it will be the smallest mass ever measured

    --
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  3. Re:So at last... by Koiu+Lpoi · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You know, you can replace that with just about anybody famous or not, and chances are somebody will agree with you. That doesn't stop you from being incredibly not funny.

    [disclaimer] I am rather liberal, and dislike GWB as much as any leftist man. But come ON people. Harding was MUCH dumber than GWB. You know, mister "You'll have to ask my advisor about that tax thing. There was a book about this tax thing which was supposed to explain it to be, but hell, i don't understand the book!"