We’re currently delving into the complex world of nanoscience as we work to create an identity and wayfinding signage program for the University of Washington’s Molecular Engineering Building. Our graphics will help tell the story of the work that’s done at the MEB, which includes research into areas of nanotechnology such as solar energy, clean fuel production, and more. Don’t know much about nanoscience? Don’t worry, neither did we. But we’ve got you covered with this primer of nano-facts.

Now just how small are we talking about here?

A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter. So for a visual, the comparative size of a nanometer to a meter is the same as a marble compared to the Earth. Yeah, that’s pretty tiny.

We’ve been literally ‘playing’ with science.

A helpful (and fun) tool we’ve discovered: magnetic buckyballs. These super strong magnets mimic the bonds of fullerenes, hollow carbon-based molecules with impressively strong bonds. They’re named after designer/architect/engineer Buckminster Fuller, who’s known for creating geodesic domes, like Epcot’s Spaceship Earth. (Soccer balls are also shaped like buckyballs, which is may be why we like them so much.) Working with them helps us visualize different molecular shapes, which we can translate into our graphics. Plus, they’re endlessly entertaining.

Maybe architecture and nanotechnology aren’t that different.

We’re learning to visualize molecules in the same way we visualize buildings. Think back to high school chemistry class:  remember drawing out the chemical formulas of molecules? Those drawings, which tell you the composition of a molecule, help you visualize what it looks like in reality. That correlation reminds us of the way we can figure out what a building will look like based on the technical drawings architects provide us. Much as architectural drawings provide the data to determine the shape, size, and composition of buildings, chemical notation offers the same specs about the components of a molecule.

Do you think these scientists get a lot of requests for “Freebird”?

Researchers at Cornell created a nanoguitar in 1997: it was about the size of a red blood cell and shaped like a Fender Stratcaster. In 2003, they created a “playable” version (in the likeness of a Gibson Flying V). Light from a laser causes the silicon strings to vibrate at frequencies 17 octaves—or, 13,000 times—higher than a regular guitar. Rock on!

The science of art…or is it the art of science?

We’re working with two ideas for the environmental graphics at the MEB. One embraces the technical aspects, using chemical notation and shapes of actual molecules. The other is more abstract, using a pattern derived from nanophotonic images to create visual rhythm and imply molecular structures. We’re trying to find the right balance of literal and abstract to create visual connections that relate to the entire field of molecular engineering. Now if you’ll excuse us, we’ve got some Buckyballs to play with…