DESCRIPTION
Bump and Roll is an interactive exhibit that demonstrates nanomaterial properties using an everyday object: a leaf of cabbage. The nanoscale structures on a cabbage leaf cause water to bead up and slide off its surface. Scientists are replicating these "superhydrophobic" properties with nanotechnology. Drip water onto a cabbage leaf, and change the angle of the surface to see how the droplets behave. Find out about the super-small bumps that make this surprising behavior possible. Cabbage leaves must be replaced every few days, and Bump and Roll’s water tank must be refilled occasionally.
This exhibit was part of the Nanotechnology: What's the Big Deal? exhibition which toured the Arkansas Discovery Network beginning in 2010.
DESCRIPTION
Bump and Roll is an interactive exhibit that demonstrates nanomaterial properties using an everyday object: a leaf of cabbage. The nanoscale structures on a cabbage leaf cause water to bead up and slide off its surface. Scientists are replicating these "superhydrophobic" properties with nanotechnology. Drip water onto a cabbage leaf, and change the angle of the surface to see how the droplets behave. Find out about the super-small bumps that make this surprising behavior possible. Cabbage leaves must be replaced every few days, and Bump and Roll’s water tank must be refilled occasionally.
This exhibit was part of the Nanotechnology: What's the Big Deal? exhibition which toured the Arkansas Discovery Network beginning in 2010.
TRAINING VIDEOS
OBJECTIVES
BIG IDEA
Nanoscience is harnessing nanoscale phenomena seen in nature to create new techniques, materials, and products.
LEARNING GOALS
Tiny micro and nanoscale bumps can make surfaces water-repellent and self-cleaning.
It's fun to play with water on a superhydrophobic surface, but there are lots of practical applications of the technology.
NANO CONTENT MAP
Scientists and engineers have formed the interdisciplinary field of nanotechnology by investigating properties and manipulating matter at the nanoscale.
Nanoscience, nanotechnology, and nanoengineering lead to new knowledge and innovations that weren't possible before.
DOWNLOAD FILES
- Bump and Roll Brochure (PDF)
- Bump and Roll Construction Drawings (PDF)
- Bump and Roll Technical Manual (PDF)
- Bump and Roll Graphic Panel (PDF)
- Bump and Roll Graphic Slant (PDF)
- Graphic NSF Credit (PDF)
- Bump and Roll Applications Text (DOCX)
- Bump and Roll Applications Screen 1 of 3 (BMP)
- Bump and Roll Applications Screen 2 of 3 (BMP)
- Bump and Roll Applications Screen 3 of 3 (BMP)
- Bump and Roll Audio (MP3)
- Bump and Roll 2008 Formative Evaluation (PDF)
- Exhibits and Programs Year 5 Summative Evaluation (PDF)
- Bump and Roll Audio (Spanish) (MP3)
Credits
Science Museum of Minnesota
Developed for the NISE Network with funding from the National Science Foundation under Award Numbers 0532536 and 0940143. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this product are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.
Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 3.0 United States (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US).
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NISE Network products are developed through an iterative collaborative process that includes scientific review, peer review, and visitor evaluation in accordance with an inclusive audiences approach. Products are designed to be easily edited and adapted for different audiences under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike license. To learn more, visit our Development Process page.