Welsh scientists drill world's smallest hole

Researchers at Cardiff University's Manufacturing Engineering Centre have managed to drill holes in steel as small as 22 microns (0.022 mm) in diameter using a electro-discharge machining (EDM) process, and reckon they could be the smallest ever achieved. Reports the Register.

EDM is also known as "spark machining" and basically involves machining conductive materials using sparks discharged from an electrode. The Cardiff Uni EDM process uses a six micron diameter electrode. A spokesman says: "The holes we are now drilling in Cardiff with the electro-discharge machining process could be the smallest in the world. This is a welcome riposte to people who typify the Welsh as a unsophisticted."

Cardiff University is now seeking funding for a programme to breed teensy-weensy ponies and budgerigars.