ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → News

World’s smallest boat is so tiny it could sail inside of a human hair

It's super cute, too!

Tibi PuiubyTibi Puiu
October 26, 2020 - Updated on July 11, 2022
in News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit
Credit: Leiden University.

Scientists at Leiden University in the Netherlands flexed their 3D printing muscles to the extreme by shaping the smallest floating object in the world.

The tiny boat is a 30-micrometer replica of Benchy the tugboat — a jolly 3D printing test design — as an homage to one of the most popular 3D printer tests objects.

According to the Dutch engineers, the tiny boat is so small it could float down the interior of a human hair shaft. It can even propel itself thanks to a few platinum molecules that react with hydrogen peroxide, so it essentially boasts a full sailing system.

To print the most intricate part of the microscopic tugboat — the cockpit — the researchers focused a laser beam onto a droplet that hardened right at the focal point. By moving the laser beam in a highly precise and controlled way, they could perform the desired nanometric cuts.

RelatedPosts

Virginia is about to 3D-print an entire neighborhood of homes — and it’s cheaper than you think
Amazing Custom Clock built using CNC, laser cutting and 3D printing – all using one hybrid printer
Sea Turtle gets a new 3D-printed titanium jaw after being hit by a boat’s propeller
Newly-developed 3D printing method uses cells, biomolecules to recreate tissues

The team at Leiden University embarked on this project as part of a grander research project investigating microswimmers, which are essentially any small particles moving in fluids. These include bacteria and sperm.

“3D Benchy is a structure that has been designed to test macroscopic 3D printers because it has several challenging features, and it was natural to also try it at the micrometer scale,” researcher Daniela Kraft told Gizmodo. “In addition, making a swimming micrometer-sized boat is fun.”

The findings were described in the journal Soft Matter.

Tags: 3d printing

ShareTweetShare
Tibi Puiu

Tibi Puiu

Tibi is a science journalist and co-founder of ZME Science. He writes mainly about emerging tech, physics, climate, and space. In his spare time, Tibi likes to make weird music on his computer and groom felines. He has a B.Sc in mechanical engineering and an M.Sc in renewable energy systems.

Related Posts

Future

This 3D printed circuit board that dissolves in water could finally solve our E-waste problem

byMihai Andrei
2 weeks ago
Chemistry

Scientists Created a 3D Printing Resin You Can Reuse Forever

byTudor Tarita
1 month ago
Biology

Scientists 3D Printed Microscopic Elephants and Barcodes Inside Cells for the First Time

byRupendra Brahambhatt
2 months ago
Future

This Ancient Grain Could Power the Future of 3D-Printed Food

byMihai Andrei
2 months ago

Recent news

Biggest Modern Excavation in Tower of London Unearths the Stories of the Forgotten Inhabitants

September 17, 2025

Millions Of Users Are Turning To AI Jesus For Guidance And Experts Warn It Could Be Dangerous

September 17, 2025

Can Giant Airbags Make Plane Crashes Survivable? Two Engineers Think So

September 17, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.