Press Release 05-019
Presenting the Molecularium

A new show from the Rensselaer nanotech center lets kids explore the world of atoms and molecules

Oxy, Hydro, and Hydra as a water molecule. Credit and Larger Version

February 9, 2005

Traditional planetarium shows take us on a virtual tour of stars, planets and galaxies: the outer universe. But recently, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute premiered its new Molecularium show, a state-of-the-art, computer-generated animation that takes its viewers on a virtual tour of the inner universe—the atoms and molecules that constitute our world.

Developed for children in grades K-3, and designed for a planetarium setting, the 20-minute show follows Oxy, Hydro, Hydra and Carbón—a cast of characters based on atoms—as they explore this inner universe. Their atomic-scale views of phenomena such as the melting of ice are based on real molecular dynamics calculations.

The Molecularium project, which was developed under a special grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), is part of the educational and outreach program of Rensselaer’s NSF-funded Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center for Directed Assembly of Nanostructures.

-NSF-

Media Contacts
Mary Cimo, RPI (518) 276-6098 cimom@rpi.edu
M. Mitchell Waldrop, NSF (703) 292-8070 mwaldrop@nsf.gov

Program Contacts
David L. Nelson, NSF (703) 292-4932 dnelson@nsf.gov

Principal Investigators
Shekhar Garde, RPI (518) 276-6048 gardes@rpi.edu
Linda Schadler, RPI (518) 276-2022 schadl@rpi.edu
Richard W. Siegel, RPI (518) 276-8846 rwsiegel@rpi.edu

Related Websites
The Molecularium Web site: http://www.molecularium.rpi.edu/
RPI Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center: http://www.rpi.edu/dept/nsec/
Rensselaer Research Quarterly article on the Molecularium: http://www.rpi.edu/research/magazine/summer04/molecularium_1.html

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2009, its budget is $9.5 billion, which includes $3.0 billion provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to over 1,900 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 44,400 competitive requests for funding, and makes over 11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

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