Researchers from the Technion- Israel Institute of Technology have created the world’s smallest Bible by putting a full version of the 308,428-word Hebrew Bible, with vowel points, on 0.5 square millimetres- an area smaller than the size of a pinhead.

The nano-Bible was written on a silicon surface covered with a thin layer of gold using a scientific device called FIB- Focused Ion Beam. Using the device, the scientists were able to send focused beams of tiny particles (gallium ions) towards a specific object. When the particles hit the object, they cause the atoms of that object to bounce off of it, thus etching it. This is analogous to digging a small hole in the earth using a water jet from a hose.

The nano-Bible project is part of an educational programme aimed at increasing interest in nanoscience among the youth. The project investigates modern methods of creating miniature structures and imaging on a nanometric scale. The Technion researchers hope to explore advanced technology for high-density information storage to discuss future topics such as information storage using DNA molecules or other bio-molecules.

Ohad Zohar, the nano-Bible project manager commented: “This is the world’s tiniest Bible- the Guinness Book of World Records has a Bible 50 times bigger.

“By sending a particle beam towards various points on the substrate, we can etch any pattern of points, especially one that represents text. The nano-Bible project demonstrates the ability of miniaturization at our disposal.”