Tiny Masterpiece: Scientists Create World’s Smallest Royal Portrait to Honour Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Scientists at Oxford Instruments Asylum Research have crafted a portrait of Her Late Majesty that’s smaller than a human hair – just 20 microns square. That’s 20 millionths of a metre, made with cutting-edge tech to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022.
Next-Level Tech Creates Nano-Sized Tribute
The pint-sized portrait was printed using Oxford Instruments’ Cypher ES atomic force microscope. This high-tech gadget uses anodic oxidation lithography, a fancy scientific method that etches designs at the nanoscale on materials like graphene and silicon. These materials are key to future electronics.
Oxford Instruments isn’t just about jaw-dropping nanoscale art. Founded in 1959 as Oxford University’s first academic spin-out, it’s now one of the UK’s top tech firms. Its science gear often plays a part in Nobel prize-winning research. The company has bagged 14 Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in Innovation and International Trade since 1967.
Science That Shapes Our Future
- Boosting medical breakthroughs by helping scientists understand diseases.
- Powering greener battery tech and renewable energy sources.
- Uncovering advanced material properties that build modern society.
- Speeding up quantum computing with cryogenics and magnet tech.
- Enabling next-gen communication devices for a more connected world.
Portrait Sale Raises Funds for Good Causes
Jonathan Bryon, Oxford Instruments’ President for East and South East Asia, said: “We’re thrilled that proceeds from this Platinum Jubilee portrait’s sale will support important causes. Our tech is always a force for good, but this is a unique way to continue making a global impact beyond science.”
John Eastwood, managing partner at Eiger law firm in Taipei and Shanghai, bought the portrait. He praised the achievement: “This nanoscale portrait is an amazing showcase of Oxford Instruments’ skills. Created to celebrate the Queen, it’s now a wonderful tribute and we’re proud to add it to Eiger’s collection while helping raise funds for worthy causes.”
The sale raised NT$40,000 (about £1,053), which will go to Taiwan Salvation Army’s Puli Youth Services Centre, SOS Children’s Village, and the British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei’s four-year scholarship programme.
