Scientists develop "atomic pen" and write nano-sized word
As an example, the word “Si” was inscribed on a semiconductor surface, manipulating silicon atoms (see picture). The process took 90 minutes to complete. The letters are sized at just 2×2 nanometers, about 40,000 thinner than the human hair.
Shinnosuke Abe, an associate professor at Osaka University involved in the experiment, was quoted as saying it’s impossible to create smaller letters. He went on claiming that this technology could theoretically lead to super-miniaturization of any given object in the future.
Asahi [JP] via Pink Tentacle