Mimics Diverse Range of Bonding Symmetry in Chemical and Material Structures
This physical molecular modeling set enables a more accurate reflection of atom size and spatial representation. Molecular model kits consisting of a set of parts representing atoms and molecular bonds are a helpful tool for studying 3D chemical structures ranging from organic molecules to inorganic crystals.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a universal, adjustable molecular modeling kit based on a cuboctahedron design, with atoms represented proportionally to their actual size. This building block enables the modeling of a range of molecular and crystal structures and processes including atoms, molecules, coordination complexes, clusters, and crystals.
Application
Universal building blocks for more accurate 3D modeling of chemical molecules
Advantages
- Blocks are universal and adjustable, facilitating precise modeling of dynamic and complex chemical molecules and processes
- The building blocks have a cuboctahedron shape, enabling mimicking of a diverse range of bonding symmetry and coordination geometry
- Building blocks can be made of paper or foam, lowering costs and allowing perforation
- Easy to adjust the size of the building blocks in proportion to the atomic diameters, modeling accurate sizes of molecular structures
- Option to use sticks of varying lengths to connect the blocks, facilitating the modeling of varying bond orders
Technology
This molecular modeling kit facilitates the accurate representation of atom size and spatial distribution. The size of the building blocks is easily adjustable in commensurate to the atomic diameters (1 Å as 1 cm) for precise modeling of the size of molecular structures, and its cubohectahedral shape enables accommodating valence states up to 12 atoms. The building blocks can be made of foam or paper, making perforation with one or multiple connecting sticks easy and enabling modeling of varying bond orders. Additionally, the blocks are universal and tunable, facilitating the simulation of diverse, complex, and dynamic structures and processes, such as chemical reactions, phase transitions, electron transfer, and structural distortions.
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