The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CEDENNA) was one of the stars of Puerto de Ideas Antofagasta’s Paseo por la Ciencia, the largest science outreach event in Chile, where, through the exhibition “Images of the Nanoworld” it amazed children, young people and adults, bringing them closer to the fascinating world of nanoscience.
For more than a decade, CEDENNA has held an internal contest in which its researchers capture artistic images of the nanoscopic world using electron microscopy. These photographs, which reveal structures invisible to the human eye and often evoke fantastic landscapes or sea creatures, have been compiled in the Center’s annual calendars and recently in the book “The Amazing Nanoworld”, available free of charge in digital format at www.cedenna.cl
The exhibition presented in Antofagasta consists of a selection of 12 images that combine art and science, accompanied by scientific descriptions that reveal the true nature of these invisible wonders. Thus, a porous hydrogel used in water remediation becomes a butterfly, and titanium dioxide reveals shapes reminiscent of a jellyfish.
Dr. Dora Altbir, executive director of the CEDENNA Foundation and 2019 National Prize for Exact Sciences winner, toured the Paseo por la Ciencia and highlighted the enthusiasm at the event: “It was a fun, playful, interesting activity full of surprises. From races of cars powered by lithium batteries to interactive electroencephalograms, everything was designed to bring science closer in a playful way. We are very happy that CEDENNA was able to help spark the wonder and curiosity of a broad audience through our images of the nanoscopic world”, she said.
CEDENNA’s participation joined more than 12 interactive experiences held at Sitio Cero in the Port of Antofagasta, including robotics, space simulators and open laboratories, as highlighted by national media.
The “Images of the Nanoworld” exhibition will continue its tour of various regions of the country, including educational, municipal and cultural spaces, as part of CEDENNA’s commitment to bringing science closer to the public, fostering knowledge and appreciation of the impact of nanotechnology on our daily lives.
