iPad Lets Scientists Drag, Pinch and Swipe Real Molecules

[robert l. bentham]

Using laser beams to control individual molecules is a precise, difficult operation rendered nearly impossible by the limitations of the computer mouse.​

Unless you have the right iPad app.​

New software called iTweezers lets scientists drag molecules around the screen as easily as shooting angry birds at pigs.​

“It’s cool because it takes something that normally lives on a lab bench, and makes it so simple,” said physicist Richard Bowman of Scotland’s University of Glasgow, lead author of a paper in the March 4 Journal of Optics describing the new software. “We have visitors who have never seen an optical tweezer before in their lives, and they happily move particles around.”​

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/03/itweezers/​

wonder if it can pull splinters... cause that would really rock!​

 

[cecilia]

I seem to recall being able to do this at a tech show a few years ago.
I do believe I moved an atom....

I don't think it was using an iPad but I really don't recall what I used

 

[Glaucus]

Dragging, pinching and swiping molecules is no big deal on it's own. But doing it with an Apple product is just mind blowing awesomeness!

 

[Karlos]

I can already move many moles of molecules without the use of any touchscreen contrivance. I just move...

 

[robert l. bentham]

lol.. you pinch and swipe some too id suspect as well...