Indian student builds world’s smallest vacuum cleaner using a pen

23-year-old student Tapala Nadamuni (India) has hoovered up a Guinness World Records title by creating the world’s smallest vacuum cleaner.

Measuring just 0.65 cm (0.25 in) – less than the width of an average pinkie fingernail – it is 0.2 cm smaller than the previous record set in 2022.

The vacuum is measured by the shortest axis of its body, meaning the handle and power cord dimensions are excluded from the final measurement.

Tapala, who formerly held this record in 2020 with a 1.76-cm vacuum, has spent the past two years trying to win it back, including two rejected attempts.

He revealed that he “came with a completely new design” this time around, preparing over 50 schematic diagrams to ensure his creation met the required standards.

For the purposes of the record, a vacuum cleaner is defined as an electrically powered device which picks up debris with suction resulting from a negative internal pressure.

Achieving adequate suction proved challenging for Tapala, who was forced to make further alterations to his design after encountering issues during testing.

His vacuum is made mostly from a refillable ballpoint pen, with the addition of some small bits of plastic and metal.

Inside the vacuum is a tiny rotating fan powered by a four-volt vibration motor, creating suction.

When connected to a power source, the vacuum makes a whirring sound and is able to suck up dust particles, which can be emptied out afterwards.

In total, Tapala spent around 20,000 rupees (£181; $238) on this project.

Inventing gadgets has been his hobby ever since he was a child, and he’s delighted to have now taken back this record after four years.

He said: “All the students in our college were amazed at this tiny vacuum cleaner, and my faculty told me that it’s the most beautiful creation they’ve ever seen.”