A new display case

I have a new display case for some of Chern's and my beadworks in the chemistry building of National Taiwan university.

Beadworks on display

I have many beadworks made by Chern, Wei-Chi and me on display in the faculty lounge here at the chem dept of NTU.

Bead model of the longest EMAC

Qian-Rui made this bead model of the longest EMAC (Extended Metal Atom Chain) for Prof. J. McGrady (Univ. of Oxford) who is an expert on the electronic structures of this class of molecules and is going to visit our department today. In making this model, Qian-Rui chose 10mm beads for both metal-metal and metal-ligand bonds, and 8mm beads for chemical bonds of surrounding ligands. The pitch of the surrounding ligands is slightly larger than the true molecular structure of this molecule. Only a single nylon cord with about 7 meter long is used for this model.





Here is a photo for the giant structure of this molecule hung in the main lobby of our department.

Carbon onion with zometool

We made a molecular model for the carbon onion consisting of six layers of concentric icosahedral fullerenes: C20, C80, C180, C320, C500, C720. This structure contains about 1820 balls and 2730 sticks. Some more extra sticks are used to connect different layers too.

Some more pictures of the giant model of the longest EMAC compoound

In the main lobby of chemistry department of National Taiwan University, there is a beautiful model of the longest EMAC compound that was first synthesized by Prof. S.-M. Peng. Here are a few pictures taken by J.-H. Huang.

EMACs updated without scaffolding

This is a large physical molecular model for the extended metal atom chain consisting of 11 Nickel atoms and four surrounding ligands hung at the lobby of new chemistry building of National Taiwan university.

EMACS (Extended Metal Atom Chains)

A giant model for the longest extended metal atom chains containing eleven Nickel atoms, still covered by steel scaffolding, is hung over the lobby of new chemistry building (NTU) yesterday.

Sculpture of C60 at Chem. Dept. of TKU

青城山上的 cuboctahedron

I found this cuboctahedron in a walking trail of the QingCheng mountain:

Here is the beaded cuboctahedron I made a long time ago. 青城山上清宮老蔣題的匾額： From 青城山

From 青城山

Torus, torus, torus everywhere

From Dec 25, 2008

Sculpture outside the physics department, NTU.

Helically-coiled tube in 劍湖山

I found these two interesting helically coiled macrotubes in 劍湖山 yesterday.

More thoughts on public arts

Prof. S.-F. Cheng told me that the public arts installed in our department have to be through a process of 公開招標, so it is not easy for our group to become qualified.

Yesterday, when I went to the men's room in the second floor of chem building, I noticed that there is a large empty bench right in front of toilet. It is not a bad idea to put some display there. Artwork made by beaded network can be a good choice. We can also ask for a competition for finding the best display to put on that bench in each Men's or Women's room. I suspect there are
benches somewhere in women's room.

In addition to beaded artworks, I will also be happy if I can put a bubble machine in, say, second floor's men's or women's room for people to enjoy the wonder of science even in the restroom. The kind of bubble machine I have in mind is basically a closed tank made of two large transparent glasses separated by about 10 cm. This is similar to a standard fish tank. The only difference is the depth of the tank is much thiner so that the soap film can form easily in between. Soap solution is in a special container at the bottom. Soap solution can then be blown into the tank to form beautiful foam once the fan is turned on by any people who want to play. Of course, the lighting on top of the device could play an important role.

Public arts （公共藝術） for new chemistry building

According to the regulation of the Taiwan's goverment, in oder to promote the appreciation of art by our people, any new building must have the public art (公共藝術) put on exhibition in the public space around or in the building .

I have suggested to Chuang and a number of faculty members (Profs. J.-T. Chen and S.-F Cheng) of my department last month (June, 2007) about the possibility of using our invention of molecular beading as a public art for our new chemistry building. Except Chuang, other people thought that I was kidding. But in fact I was very serious. I have two proposals originally. Firstly, I plan to create three large beaded fullerenes including an icosahedral molecule such as C60, a tetrahedron molecule, and a toroidal molecule (T120) using steel beads with radii about 10cm. The resulting structures can be 2 to 3 meters high. Then putting these giant beaded molecules outside our new chemistry building. Hopefully, close to the front door.

The other proposal is to create several small beaded molecules such as the Sierpinski's ball made by Chuang and his classmates of 2007. Put each of them on a wooden stand and enclose it in a glass box. Then, we can leave these artworks in many different places in the chemistry building such as corners of Jiu-Ru lobby and corridors of each floor.

Last week, when I was in the Moscow (or St. Petersburg) airport with Prof. Chien (簡敦誠教授 ) of NTNU, I told him about my idea of using beaded molecules as public arts for our new chemistry building. He immediately suggested another solution. Instead of making a huge beaded molecular artwork outside the building, he said it is better to hang these beaded molecules from the ceiling if the ceiling of the lobby in the new chemistry building is high enough. Indeed, in between these two buildings, there is a large open space with high ceiling we can take advantage of. In fact, as far as I know that will be the main lobby right after one enters the chemistry building. Imaging that when you step into the main lobby of chemistry building, the scene unfolded in front of your eyes is many giant, colorful beaded fullerenes with variety of shapes hanging from the high ceiling. What a wonderful view. I like this idea.

I think I should work out the detailed plans for all these ideas later this year.

By the way, I found this site of our government:
「公共藝術獎」徵選
and
公共藝術