Researchers have synthesised Olympicene, a new molecule in the shape of the Olympic Rings.
When scientists at the Royal Society in London met to discuss how best to mark the London 2012 Olympic games, Professor Graham Richards had the idea to create an Olympic themed molecule.
Easier said than done. And almost as difficult to take a photo of the molecule once created.
University of Warwick researchers Anish Mistry and David Fox came up with synthesis and went on to take images of the molecule using non-contact atomic force microscopy. At just 1.2nm wide, it has been dubbed “the smallest logo in the world”.
Fascinating chemistry – but is it useful?
Perhaps, but the man behind it all said he hoped its greatest use would be inspire young people to study chemistry.
“”Molecules of this nature could conceivably have commercial use, but my own feeling is that above all we want to excite an interest in chemistry provoked by the link with the Olympics,” said Professor Richards.
Read more and see the pictures at the links below:
Image courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net.
