The Buckyball is 25 today!

Google's animated doodle alerted me to this milestone in modern chemistry. Buckyballs, discovered in 1985, are carbon molecules that are exceptionally strong and light. They're used in carbon fiber bike frames and a whole host of other cutting edge products. We saw the original inspiration, Bucky Fuller's geodesic dome, on a trip to Montreal.

Check out my post on GeekDad.

A Little Nanoscience Cross-Posting

We did one of the nanoscience experiments from NISE Net and posted it on Home Physics. This bit of Kitchen Nanoscience demonstrates how difference in scale affects forces like gravity. It's quick and easy, if you've got some dollhouse or LEGO-sized drinking vessels around!

Home Chemistry Experiment Links

I've started a new category in my sidebar for links to chemistry experiments you can easily do at home. They include some activities from NiseNet, the Nanoscale Informal Science Education website. While these are designed for museums and schools, many of them are easy to do at home too. I've already printed out the paper model Bucky ball to try later!