The World’s Smallest Guitar

The sound of a musical instrument tends to be higher pitched as it gets smaller. In comparison to a flute, a piccolo usually hits several higher notes. A ukulele simply doesn't rock out as a guitar does. And with that in mind, you may envision what the sound of the tiniest guitar in existence would be like if it could ever be played.

The smallest guitar in the world is only 10 microns long and is made of crystalline silicon. That is roughly the same size as a red blood cell, or about one-seventh of the width of a human hair. There are six strings included, each measuring 50 nanometers, or roughly 100 atoms.

The nano guitar was created by Cornell University researchers as a demonstration of the technology, which has potential applications in fiber optics and electronics. The fact that it can be played is what is most amazing. It is obviously only possible with an atomic force microscope, and the sound made by the strings would be inaudible, but it is still possible.

• Size: 10 microns long
  
  
• Creators: Cornell University researchers