Convert Minim (UK) (minim (UK)) to Attoliter (aL) instantly.
About these units
Minim (UK) (minim (UK))
The UK minim is one of the smallest traditional volume units, equal to 1/60 of a dram, or roughly 0.059 milliliters. Introduced in the early 19th century to replace the inconsistent "drop," the minim allowed physicians and pharmacists to dose potent liquid medicines more reliably. Before modern syringes and droppers, apothecaries needed a precise micro-unit that could be measured using graduated glassware. The minim served this purpose exceptionally well and was foundational in early medical standardization. Although no longer used in contemporary medicine, it remains historically important, especially in pharmacology, toxicology, and the study of pre-modern medical practice.
Attoliter (aL)
An attoliter is a staggering 10⁻¹⁸ liters, placing it firmly in the realm of molecular and nanoscale science. This unimaginably small volume corresponds to spaces comparable to the inside of viruses, nanopores, or clusters of biomolecules. Cutting-edge technologies like nano-droplet reactors, atomic force microscopy, and high-precision spectroscopy rely on attoliters to describe reaction chambers or sample sizes. The attoliter is so small that even a single bacterial cell has a volume approximately one million attoliters. This makes the unit essential for exploring the physical limits of chemical reactions and biological processes.