Single molecule, one million times smaller than a grain of sand, pictured for first time

Daily Mail Science Section ^ | 28th August 2009 | Claire Bates

[Sudetenland]

It may look like a piece of honeycomb, but this lattice-shaped image is the first ever close-up view of a single molecule.

Scientists from IBM used an atomic force microscope (AFM) to reveal the chemical bonds within a molecule. 'This is the first time that all the atoms in a molecule have been imaged,' lead researcher Leo Gross said.

The researchers focused on a single molecule of pentacene, which is commonly used in solar cells. The rectangular-shaped organic molecule is made up of 22 carbon atoms and 14 hydrogen atoms.

[Sudetenland]

Wowee, wowee, wowee!!!! I am overwhelmed with awe at this picture.

[the invisib1e hand]

Wowee, wowee, wowee!!!!

Don't get all wee-wee'd up over it, even though it is late August - early September.

[acapesket]

This could turn out to be a wonderful tool in medicine and disease... that is if we prevent Obamacare from coming to the fore.

[Sudetenland]

Yeah well I spent a lot of time in college and grad school modelling these organic molecules...never thought I'd see one.

My nerd is coming out on this one. I think it is the most monumental picture in science I have seen in a very long time.

[OneWingedShark]

I counted the 22 Carbon atoms (the verticies of the hexes)... but where’s the Hydrogen?

[TaMoDee]

Huh? Looks like my TV screen just before smoke came out the rear panels!

[NordP]

Wow...I just keep saying it!

[Sudetenland]

at the ends of the bonds coming off of the rings

[OneWingedShark]

Ah, so the external verticies.

[Sudetenland]

Yep...I mean I am actually looking at a carbon hydrogen bond...the actual bond, a shared electron pair...not just a model of it.

[broncobilly]

but where’s the Hydrogen?

---

Probably the fuzzyness at the corners.

[johniegrad]

I think it's easier to envision them here.

[delacoert]

mark

[dixjea]

WOW is right! Amazing to see that they look something like the diagrams that have been made of them without ever seeing one! THIS IS SO COOL!

[AceMineral]

There are two nubs at each end of the molecule that I take to be hydrogen atoms. There are also a bump or nub on the top and bottom side of the carbon circles that look like they have comet tails. That’s four for the ends and ten for the sides for fourteen in all.

[Cacique]

btt

[ExpatGator]

Absolutely awesome. As fascinating as the first deep space pictures, except this is the building block of all that matter.

[cardinal4]

Yep...I mean I am actually looking at a carbon hydrogen bond...the actual bond, a shared electron pair...not just a model of it.

I didn't figure that out until I saw One Wing's question. That is a freakin amazing pic. I never thought I would actually see that..

[Huskrrrr]

The benzene rings at either end seem to be out of plane.

[Rebelbase]

In it's crude image if we compare it to the first photograph in 1826, just imagine what future generations will see.