Nanometer: the Invisible Scale

One of the objectives for establishing the Heavenly Lord Gallery at the Songshan Feng Tian Temple is to bring educational capabilities into full play; to enable members of the public to expand their horizons, enrich their knowledge, and nurture positive energy through the exhibitions. Subsequent to collaborations with the National Palace Museum and the National Museum of Natural Science, the gallery has engaged with the National Science and Technology Museum for the first time for this exhibition to promote popular science education. The exhibition transforms the nanoscale invisible to the human eye into visible exhibits that showcase the past decade of nano technological research achievements in Taiwan through easy-to-understand interactive media, furthering the public understanding of nanotechnology and raising their scientific and technological literacy. At the same time, junior high and elementary school children are provided with an alternative method of learning that will supplement their effectivity in learning, thereby encouraging students to pursuit research in the field of nanotechnology while also expanding and diversifying temple’s educational outreach. 

Sponsors: Songshan Feng Tian Temple, National Science and Technology Museum
Oranizers: National Science and Technology Council Department of International Cooperation and Science Education, Office of the National Nanotechnology Talent Incubation Plan
Co-Sponsors: Taipei City Government Department of Civil Affairs, Taipei City Government Department of Education, Taipei City Xinyi District Office. 

Venue: Heavenly Lord Gallery, Level B2, Xianke Building, Songshan Feng Tian Temple

Exhibition Content:

I. Exhibition Areas
Entry Area
The exhibition is unveiled through organisms and objects of varying scales, and the development of nanotechnology throughout history, as well as Richard Feynman’s astonishing words, and visitors are guided into the microscopic nanoworld.
Nanometers in Nature
Unique nanostructures in the natural world are displayed through photographs, videos, specimens, and interactive exhibits.
Scientific Experiment Station
Become a little scientist and learn about the unique characteristics of nano materials and experience classical experiments at the Science Experiment Station. 
Nano Certification
An introduction to the certification of nanotechnological products and nano-related products. Potential issues that arise in nanotechnology products are raised, as well as an introduction to everyday applications for nano materials. 
The Near Future
Today’s research become tomorrow’s applications. This area gives an introduction to Taiwan’s leading nano research and provides information on future applications for nanomaterials in medical diagnosis, cancer treatment, and the semiconductor industry.

II. Exhibition Focus
This exhibition launches with highlights in nanotechnological research presented through hands-on activities, firsthand experiences, and interactive displays. Information on nanotechnology is made more easily understood through direct observation and magnified models. 

The exhibition includes an overview nanotechnology, presenting concepts of scale, nanostructures in nature, characteristics of nanomaterials, nano measurement tools, nano products, the developmental history of nanotechnology, and prospective studies in nanotechnology, etc. Iconic experiments from the developmental history of nanotechnology have been transformed into interactive displays and animations, such as atomic manipulation, and a Nobel prize made of torn tape, etc. We hope visitors will become acquainted with the invisible nano scale through this visible exhibition. 

III. Highlight Exhibits
Magnetic Fluid!
Observe how magnetic nanoparticles distributed in an oil-based fluid creates beautiful 3D forms when guided by magnetism, gravity, and surface tension. 
Atomic Manipulation
A simulation of the iconic experiment in 1990 where scientists at IBM used a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) to maneuver 35 atoms on a crystalline nickel surface to form the letters IBM. Small beads (atoms) are arranged within a set time to replicate the experience of the process of moving atoms with the help of a microscope. 
Nano thermal insulation coating
Observe the transparency and thermal insulation properties of three different types of glass: clear glass, insulated glass, and nano-insulated glass and learn about the applications for nano-thermal insulation coating. 

IV. Educational Benefits
1. An exhibition with interactive displays that interpret nanotechnology, making an otherwise unperceivable scale, visible to the human eye. 
2. The core of the exhibition revolves around human approaches toward and applications for the phenomenon of the nanoscale, and attempts to disseminate knowledge on nanotechnologies, consolidating interdisciplinary content including biomedical, material, and semiconductor applications. 
3. Notable scientific events in the developmental process of nanotechnology, such as the successful maneuvering of atoms at IBM, or peeling off a single layer of graphene atoms using adhesive tape, etc., with scientific exploration as a point of emphasis.
4. Increasing scientific interest among visitors has the benefit of elevating the scientific/technological savvy among the general public.