Researchers at University College London have developed the world’s thinnest spaghetti, measuring about 1/200th the thickness of a human hair. Dubbed "nano-pasta," this innovation isn’t intended for eating but has been designed as a novel type of fiber for advanced applications.
Starch nanofibers have long been considered promising materials in biomedicine and environmental technology. However, current extraction and purification methods are resource-intensive, requiring significant amounts of energy, water, and environmentally harmful chemicals.
To overcome these challenges, the team developed a sustainable production method that reduces environmental impact, lowers manufacturing costs, and improves efficiency compared to traditional processes.
One key feature of nano-pasta is its remarkable affinity for water. In experiments, droplets of water placed on the material were fully absorbed in just seconds.
Thanks to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and moderate hydrophilicity, nano-pasta has the potential to revolutionize various fields. Possible applications include wound healing and drug delivery in medicine, as well as filtration membranes and electrodes in environmental technology.
Viewer Comments:
I want to try eating a chunk of this. I wonder if it has any flavor.
The name fooled me, but this is genuinely impressive technology.
It feels like it would disappear if you boiled it.
Source:
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2024/na/d4na00601a
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