tangible chemistry in exhibition space

Chemieraum is a concept for an interactive installation in exhibition space, which allows teenagers to experiment in the field of chemistry on a basic level. They can analyze and discover molecules and atoms on an interactive screen guided by haptic and visual feedback.

This project has been carried out in collaboration with TUMlab at the Deutsche Museum in Munich. This institution aims to give pupils the chance of exploring the world of natural science. Museums, schools and institutions which are working within the field of chemistry are the audience for »chemieraum«. This concept was realised by creating a working prototype consisting of a wall projection, a media table and a puck with haptic feedback as an input device.

The whole assembly is expandible and modular in order to create a cycle of orientation. The user experience starts with an initial interaction. At first, visitors can only see themselves on a screen. As they approach the installation the image zooms in on them until the molecules that surround their structure are reached. Later on the user can navigate through the interface using the puck. He can choose a molecule out of the »molecule library« or build up and configure his own compound by using the elements out of the »construction kit of atoms« which include the five basic elements (H, O, N, C, S).

The picture projected on the wall contains additional information about the molecule. The different gaseous states are shown and can be compared by using the temperature control. While interacting, the novel input device provides the visitor with haptic feedback in addition to visual perception. For example, the puck begins to vibrate rapidly when the temperature is rising and changes color depending on which atom is selected. Supplementary to the molecular modeling, the visitor feels a resistance if he tries to add an element to a molecule that is impossible to communicate with the other ones.

The input device has been developed inside the framework of a research project called »haptICS« at the Hochschule für Gestaltung Schwäbisch Gmünd. We very much hope that »chemieraum« will become an additional tool for the learning experience that chemistry has to offer involving education in the near future.