Exhibit Descriptions

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Too Small to See is arranged into four sub-theme areas:

1. Small, Smaller, Nano

In this exhibit cluster, visitors are oriented to three size scales: small (greater than 100 micrometers), smaller (1 to 100 micrometers) and nano (less than 100 micrometers). There are a billion nanometers in a meter!

Entry Panels

Watch a video introducing key exhibition concepts. Two additional panels without audiovisuals are provided for use in lobbies or at other entries.

Magnification Station

View three different magnifications of familiar objects (a butterfly wing, an oyster shell and a salt crystal) to see that all matter is made of atoms.

Zoom into Nano

Turn a wheel to zoom in and out between the macroscopic and nanoscopic world. Go at your own speed to explore four fascinating objects at different scales.

Particle Progression

Use your senses to lead you on a nano journey from small (sand) to smaller (dust) to nano (smell). Discover that molecules are too small to see but not too small to smell.

2. Making Nano Structures

These two exhibits show different ways to make very, very tiny structures and devices: moving lots of atoms at once (Shrink a Pattern) and moving atoms one-by-one (Atom Transporter).

Shrink a Pattern

Design patterns of translucent colored cubes and then use light and lenses to shrink the pattern many times.

Atom Transporter

Experience the challenge of arranging individual atoms into a pattern while the atoms are in motion.

3. Seeing Nano Structures

Within this courtyard of exhibits, models of atoms and molecules are enlarged to 100 million times their actual size. Visitors can view, build and stretch molecules while exploring their shape and structure. Visitors experience the constant motion of atoms and molecules.

Shaking Solids

See that atoms and molecules are always moving - even in solid objects.

Infinity Crystal

Immerse yourself in a crystal’s repeating pattern of atoms that seem to go on forever.

Carbon Nanotubes

Climb and play among the carbon nanotubes while learning about their potential uses.

Stretch a Molecule

Use your hands to grab and pull apart the ends of a virtual RNA molecule. When you let go, the molecule folds back up into its natural shape.(Full Body Interactive Video Installation)

Dissolve a Crystal

Dissolve a virtual crystal of salt using your body’s movement to generate heat. (Full Body Interactive Video Installation)

Build a Molecule

Have fun creating your own molecular models against a background of compelling imagery showing the beauty and complexity of the molecular world. (Includes banners and moving video projection.)

Build a Carbon Nanotube

How high can you go? Work in a group to build up gigantic carbon nanotube models.

4. Nano and Me

This group of exhibits highlights the implications of current and future developments in nanoscale science and engineering.

Portages into Nanotechnology

At four videdo kiosks, learn how scientists are using nanotechnology to develop new tools and materials that may affect our lives.

Listen to a Nano Story

Sit back and listen to stories about nanotechnology from the popular Earth and Sky radio series at two coffee table stations.