More Impressive Than You Think
Jacob Courtade — July 2, 2008 — Science
References: technology.newscientist
Australia has been busy creating a pair of the world's most round objects, ever. Made from silicon, these two spheres measure exactly 93.75 millimeters (about 3.7 inches) in diameter. It's taken months and months of work, combined with some extremely advanced measurement tools, to create these beauties.
They weren't just created for their artistic appeal, either. They are the next step in the age-old problem of coming up with an exact measurement of the kilogram. The KG is the only standard measurement left that's based on a physical object - currently the KG is determined exactly by a pile of platinum and iridium that's around 120 years old. It sits in France and is causing problems as it seems to be changing slightly compared with other copies worldwide. The plan is to come up with an exact number of silicon atoms in the spheres - that will become the new standard of the kilogram.
They weren't just created for their artistic appeal, either. They are the next step in the age-old problem of coming up with an exact measurement of the kilogram. The KG is the only standard measurement left that's based on a physical object - currently the KG is determined exactly by a pile of platinum and iridium that's around 120 years old. It sits in France and is causing problems as it seems to be changing slightly compared with other copies worldwide. The plan is to come up with an exact number of silicon atoms in the spheres - that will become the new standard of the kilogram.
Trend Themes
1. Precise Measurement Standards - Creating exact measurements using advanced technology and materials like silicon atoms can disrupt traditional measurement methods.
2. Advanced Measurement Tools - Developing and utilizing advanced measurement tools can revolutionize accuracy in various industries.
3. Transition to Non-physical Standards - Shifting from physical objects to non-physical standards, such as silicon atoms, can bring about disruptive innovation in measurement systems.
Industry Implications
1. Manufacturing - Implementing advanced measurement tools and precise measurement standards can greatly enhance manufacturing processes.
2. Science and Research - Adopting non-physical measurement standards can advance scientific research and improve accuracy in various domains.
3. Metrology and Standards - Developing new measurement standards can revolutionize the metrology and standards industry, leading to more reliable and consistent measurements.
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