These crystalline 'nanoflowers' were developed by Cambridge University PhD student Ghim Wei Ho, who passes a methane gas over silicon carbide wires, grown from Gallium, to cause these structures — called nanobouquet, nanotrees, and nanoflower — to condense, depending on the temperature and pressure of the growth process. It's not all for show, either — these nano-scale structures are currently being tested for use as a water repellant coating and a base for a new solar cell. My guess is that, no matter how beautiful they are under the scanning microscope, my girlfriend will still not accept a solar panel in lieu of flowers.
Look - Nanobouquet [Gizmodo]
Look - Nanotrees [Gizmodo]
Look - Nanoflower [Gizmodo]
Read - Institute of Physics [IOP]

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