They've Created the World's Thinnest Spaghetti—But It's Not for Dinner
These researchers have created the world's thinnest spaghetti, but what for?
A team of researchers at University College London (UCL) has created the world's thinnest spaghetti, measuring just 372 nanometers (billionths of a meter) in diameter. This incredible feat was achieved using a technique called electrospinning, where a mixture of flour and liquid is pulled through the tip of a needle under an electrical charge to create ultra-thin threads.
While the result resembles pasta, it's not meant for the dinner table. Instead, it could pave the way for advancements in medical materials.
The Goal: A Medical Breakthrough
The team is working to create an alternative to starch nanofibers, which have significant potential in healthcare. These nanofibers, naturally produced by green plants to store excess glucose, are already being explored for various applications, such as:
- Wound healing: Nanofiber mats are highly porous, allowing water and moisture to pass while blocking bacteria.
- Bone regeneration: Acting as scaffolds to support cell growth and repair.
- Drug delivery systems: Providing controlled release of medications.
However, producing starch nanofibers from plant cells is resource-intensive, requiring large amounts of water and energy. UCL's method offers a more sustainable alternative by using flour—a starch-rich, widely available ingredient—as the base material.
Early Successes and Next Steps
The researchers successfully created a 2 cm nanofiber mat, visible to the naked eye, although individual fibers require a scanning electron microscope to observe. The team's next steps include studying the material's properties, such as:
- How quickly it degrades.
- How it interacts with human cells.
- Its potential for large-scale production.
Not for the Kitchen
Despite its resemblance to spaghetti, this nanomaterial is far from edible. If cooked, the ultra-thin strands would be overdone in less than a second. Instead, this breakthrough offers a glimpse into how simple ingredients like flour could revolutionize the production of medical-grade materials, providing sustainable solutions for healthcare needs.
As the team continues their research, their "nanospaghetti" could open new doors in regenerative medicine, wound care, and pharmaceutical delivery systems—proving that this isn't just the thinnest pasta ever, but one of the most innovative uses of flour yet.