Australian scientists and the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood have created the world’s smallest mustache, measuring only five microns, by using a red blood cell. The Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication (MCN) at the Australian National Fabrication Facility and the Ramaciotti Centre for Cryo-Electron Microscopy at Monash University collaborated on this microscopic feat.
The tiny “Mo” was designed to support Movember, a global men’s health charity, and emphasize the crucial role of blood donation in men’s health. The lifeblood collected a red blood cell from a volunteer donor in Melbourne before the MCN team used a remarkable instrument called a FIB-SEM to capture the image of the moustache. This technology is capable of imaging structures as small as 1/10,000th of the width of a human hair, using high-energy beams of metal ions to etch and deposit tiny structures, according to Bernie Orelup, Engineering & Operations Manager at the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication.
After collecting the red blood cell, the team used advanced nanofabrication techniques to create a symbol supporting men’s health while remaining unseen by the naked eye. In addition, Lifeblood is partnering with Movember throughout November to promote men’s health and encourage blood or plasma donations. Alison Gould, a spokesperson for Lifeblood, emphasized that blood donation is not only a way to help others but also an opportunity to learn about one’s own health.
The microscopic mustache, despite its small size, aims to make a big impact by inspiring individuals to contribute to men’s health through blood donation. Donors in November will receive a limited-edition Movember-designed bandage. This project merges nanofabrication expertise with a noble cause, and serves as a testament to the importance of advanced scientific tools in unraveling mysteries on a miniature scale. “The focused ion-beam scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM) was our key to unlocking the secrets of this tiny ‘Mo.’ It allowed us to reveal a world that is usually hidden from view, emphasizing the importance of advanced scientific tools in unraveling mysteries on a miniature scale,” Orelup said in a statement.
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