Science & Technology, New Zealand (Commonwealth Union) – Kiwis are not just birds; they are symbols of New Zealand’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. As the nation grapples with the conservation challenges facing these unique birds, concerted efforts are underway to preserve their habitats and protect them from threats.
Upon hatching, kiwi chicks typically weigh approximately 300 grams, but there exists a kiwi that redefines the term ‘tiny’ in a remarkable way.
Enter the World’s Smallest Kiwi, an incredibly minuscule marvel that challenges visibility even under a magnifying glass. Recently unveiled for public display, this diminutive kiwi takes smallness to unprecedented levels.
If you’re wondering where it is, take a look beside the New Zealand dollar coin. But if you are wondering if that small kiwi sitting there is the World’s Smallest Kiwi? Actually, the true World’s Smallest Kiwi is the almost imperceptible speck that resembles dust, positioned beside the already small kiwi adjacent to the New Zealand dollar coin.
Behind this extraordinary creation is Associate Professor Volker Nock, a nano researcher at University of Canterbury (UC). Using the Nanoscribe Photonic Professional GT2, one of the world’s most high-resolution 3D printers, Nock crafted two versions of the kiwi: one visible to the naked eye and another, a micrometre-sized sibling, only discernible through a superpowered scanning-electron microscope.
Nock elaborates on the printer’s capabilities, indicating that this printer makes it possible to print features as small as 160 nanometres – a thousand times smaller than a human hair. He further reveals his initial concept for the kiwi’s appearance, acknowledging the astonishing level of detail achieved only upon witnessing the final product emerge from the printer.
At first glance, the World’s Smallest Kiwi appears as a mere speck, seemingly susceptible to disappearing into the ether with an ill-timed sneeze. However, a closer inspection under a high-magnification microscope reveals the intricately designed feathers, wings, claws, and scales on its legs, showcasing the astounding craftsmanship of this nano kiwi.
“As an “imported” Kiwi myself and a keen tramper, I have always been very fond of our native birds, but at the same time, very aware of the troubles they are facing.
“Helping to raise awareness is the least I can do and I would have loved to print all of our iconic birds, but the kiwi is New Zealand’s national icon plus it has the best 3D models available, so it was an easy choice.”
The Nanoscribe Photonic Professional GT2 boasts the ability to intricately print three-dimensional objects with unparalleled detail, all at a scale invisible to the naked eye, necessitating the use of a microscope for observation. This cutting-edge technology employs laser light to solidify minute volumes, referred to as voxels, within a liquid plastic. Through the repetition of this process for billions of voxels, virtually any three-dimensional shape can be meticulously crafted. Subsequently, any residual liquid is removed, leaving behind microscopic objects, such as the World’s Smallest Kiwi.
According to Nock, the journey in developing the World’s Smallest Kiwi has been both thrilling and innovative. He emphasizes that while nanotechnology is still a relatively modest industry in New Zealand, the University of Canterbury (UC) is enthusiastically engaging in exploratory initiatives within this evolving field. The creation of the World’s Smallest Kiwi, Nock notes, stands as a significant scientific advancement in local nanotechnology. The added bonus of contributing to the preservation of real-life kiwi through support for Save the Kiwi makes this project particularly special.
The World’s Smallest Kiwi was showcased at Tūranga, the Christchurch City Library, from November 7 to November 14. As part of Save the Kiwi’s Kiwi Art Trail, this miniature masterpiece will be auctioned, with the proceeds directed towards supporting Save the Kiwi and broader kiwi conservation efforts.
