Occasionally, researchers at IBM take a break from exploring the limits of data storage at the molecular level — and instead make stop-motion films, animated entirely with individual atoms. This is the result.
Created using a custom, IBM-manufactured microscope which operates at -268C, IBM claims this is the “world’s smallest movie”. By manipulating individual atoms, the team were able to arrange them into different patterns to create the 242 frames that make up the film. You can watch a video showing how the video was made below.
While the end product might not be the most exciting animation in the world, it’s certainly a fine testament to the intricate technologies IBM has at its disposal.