Nanowires. Coloured scanning tunnelling micrograph (STM) of nanowires. Just 10 atoms wide, these wires could be used in computers operating at the limits of miniaturisation. The wires are made from rare earth silicides, a compound containing a rare earth metal (lanthanide) combined with silicon. They were laid down on a silicon surface. In an STM, the shape of a surface maintaining the flow of current through a fine wire passed just above the surface. These nanowires were made by Hewlett- Packard, Palo Alto, California, USA. Magnification unknown.