"It's amazing that something only an atom thick can be an impenetrable barrier. You can have gas on one side and vacuum or liquid on the other, and with a wall only one atom thick, nothing would go through it."

Create & Download Quote Graphic

Customize Image

1. Canvas Aspect Ratio

2. Palette Theme

Thematic Reflection

This quotation examines the core nature of Architecture as articulated by Paul McEuen. Within historical and literary traditions, reflections on Architecture provide actionable mental models, challenging individuals to evaluate personal ethics, self-discipline, and daily actions.

About Paul McEuen

Paul McEuen is an American physicist. He received his B.S. in engineering physics at the University of Oklahoma (1985), and his Ph.D. in applied physics at Yale University (1991). After postdoctoral work at MIT (1990–1991), he became an assistant professor at the University of California, Berkeley. He moved to Cornell University in 2001, where he is currently the emeritus John A. Newman Professor of Physical Science. He is an expert on the electrical properties of carbon nanotubes and is a member of the National Academy of Sciences.

View all quotes by Paul McEuen →
Editorial Integrity: Curated and fact-checked under our Editorial Standards to eliminate misattributions and preserve historical authenticity.
Learn about our methodology →