藍色情懷

全世界最小的「自發性原子情人節禮物」

The World's Smallest Spontaneous Atomic Valentine

February 14, 2010 by Ted Goodman

The Jeol 2100F microscope, a new generation aberration-corrected electron microscope, allows a clear view of the palladium atoms.

(PhysOrg.com) -- Palladium atoms placed on a carbon base spontaneously formed into an 8 nanometer heart at the University of Birmingham’s Nanoscale Physics Research Laboratory this week. Just in time for Valentine’s Day!

(PhysOrg.com) -- 本週在 Birmingham（柏明罕）大學的奈米級物理研究實驗室裡，置於碳基部的鈀（Palladium）原子自發性地形成一個 8 奈米大小的愛心。時間就在情人節這天！

According to the physicists observing the atoms through the Lab’s JEOL 2100F microscope, Zhiwei Wang and David Pearmain, they watched with love, but really had absolutely nothing to do with the heart formation of the atoms.

根據以該實驗室 JEOL 2100F 顯微鏡觀察這些原子的物理學家，Zhiwei Wan與 David Pearmain 表示，他們以一顆充滿愛的心觀察這些鈀，但在原子形成愛心這件事上，他們絕對沒有動任何手腳。

Sadly, the bright, beautiful palladium Valentine will not be given to a special lady. Being only 8 nanometers in size, it can’t be seen by the human eye, and cannot even be relied upon to stay in the smallest ring setting. But we can all admire the wonderful high-angle, very high-power shot of the world's smallest and, arguably, prettiest naturally-formed Valentine.

令人感傷的是，這個燦爛、美麗的鈀情人節禮物（Valentine）沒法獻給某位特別的戀人。因為它的大小只有 8 奈米，人的眼睛看不見它，甚至也不能指望它能放在最小的戒指座上。但我們都很欣賞這張以美妙的俯視、非常高的功率，針對全世界最小的，以及... 可以這麼說：最漂亮的、自然形成的情人節禮物，所拍攝的照片。

Although the palladium Valentine was a nice surprise for the scientists, they actually have other reasons for studying the palladium atoms. Professor Richard Palmer, head of the Laboratory explained:

"Size-selected atomic clusters, of the kind which fused together to assemble the atomic heart, are of practical relevance as model catalysts; the palladium/carbon system is employed as a real industrial catalyst in the fine chemicals sector. Precise control of the atomic architecture of the clusters may lead to enhanced yield and especially selectivity in complex catalytic reactions, as well as reducing the number of metal atoms needed to catalyze the reaction."

雖然這個鈀情人節禮物讓科學家們有個很棒的驚喜，不過他們研究這些鈀原子其實另有原因。Richard Palmer 教授，這個實驗室的大頭表示：

"大小經過挑選的原子簇（atomic clusters），就像融合（fused）在一起組成原子愛心的那種，在成為模型結晶體上有著實際的關連性；這些鈀／碳系統被當作是真正的工業晶體用於細微的化學區塊。精確控制這些原子簇的結構也許能導致產量增加，還有，尤其是複雜的催化反應中的選擇性，以及減少催化反應所需的金屬原子數量。"

The Nanoscale Physics Research Laboratory was established in 1994 as the first centre for nanoscience in the UK. Four spin-off companies have been generated from the Laboratory since 2005. 

奈米級物理研究實驗室在 1994 年成立，是英國第一個奈米科學中心。從 2005 年以來有四家衍生的公司從這間實驗室誕生。

More information: Information provided by: Professor Richard Palmer, The Nanoscale Physics Research Laboratory, University of Birmingham.

© 2010 PhysOrg.com

＊ 本資訊由 Birmingham 大學，Nanoscale Physics Research Laboratory 的 Richard Palmer 教授提供。