Skip to main content
Public engagement resources for the Monday April 8, 2024 Solar Eclipse
Learn more >

Bump and Roll exhibit

An exhibit that was part of the Nanotechnology: What's the Big Deal? exhibition that demonstrates nanomaterial properties using an everyday object: a leaf of cabbage.

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.

JUMP TO BROWSE RELATED RESOURCES
  • Photo of a large interactive exhibit that has two chambers where learners can drop water onto cabbage leaves and observe droplets rolling off
  • Bump and Roll Exhibit as viewed slightly to the right
  • Visitor at the exhibit dripping water onto the cabbage leaf
  • Photo of a large interactive exhibit that has two chambers where learners can drop water onto cabbage leaves and observe droplets rolling off
  • Bump and Roll Exhibit as viewed slightly to the right
  • Visitor at the exhibit dripping water onto the cabbage leaf

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.

JUMP TO BROWSE RELATED RESOURCES

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.

Credits

YEAR CREATED
2008
OWNING INSTITUTION

Science Museum of Minnesota

FUNDING

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.

PERMISSIONS

Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 3.0 United States (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US).
View more details

DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

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.