The
different allotropes of carbon described by Dr. Gimzewski seemed to me to be
works of art created by nature.
The way that these atoms of the same element could be connected in
different ways in order to create substances with different physical properties
is a fascinating principle. Additionally the microscopy technologies used to
identify these structures are to me, a symbol of human ingenuity being utilized
in order to decode nature’s art (Gimzewski).
My
interest in the allotropes of carbon led me to do additional research into the
allotropes of other elements to see how different structures could influence
function. Perhaps one of the most famous allotropes of oxygen is the ozone
layer that exists in our atmosphere.
Oxygen exists primarily as O2 but ozone has an extra atom
connected into O3 (Shakhashiri). his
layer is required to protect the Earth from excessive UV radiation (What is Ozone?). Another cool allotrope is the black
form of selenium that connects in a structure with up to 1000 linked atoms (Stewart).
An image of the ozone layer that protects the life on Earth below it
A bead of black selenium
With
humanity’s ability to visualize the different structures of allotropic
compounds came their ability to influence them. This has led to the ability to manufacture the favorable
allotropes that have uses in our society.
One such new method was developed at MIT recently in order to create
graphene. Because of the
substance’s potential uses in electronic devices and solar panels, this could
prove a significant technologic advancement (Chandler). As we continue to find ways to control molecular structure,
it might prove interesting to assemble the atoms in different ways to see if we
can develop a new allotrope of an element that is both stable and useful.
A sheet of carbon atoms forming a large graphene molecule
Chandler, David. "A New Way to Make Sheets of
Graphene." MIT News. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 14 May 2014.
Web. 24 May 2015. <http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2014/new-way-make-sheets-graphene-0523>.
Gimzewski, Jim. "Nanotech Jim Pt2." YouTube.
YouTube. Web. 24 May 2015.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=1058&v=HEp6t0v-v9c>.
Shakhashiri, Bassan. "Chemical of the Week --
Ozone." Science Is Fun. Web. 24 May 2015.
<http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/chemweek/ozone/ozone.html>.
Stewart, Doug. "Selenium Element Facts."
Chemicool. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://www.chemicool.com/elements/selenium.html>.
"What Is Ozone?" NOU Belize Website. Web. 24 May
2015.
<http://www.noubelize.gov.bz/sites/nou-belize/default.asp?site=nou-belize&page_id=A8D8B934-55B4-47BE-B04F-7CA86B0351A6>.
<http://www.noubelize.gov.bz/sites/nou-belize/default.asp?site=nou-belize&page_id=A8D8B934-55B4-47BE-B04F-7CA86B0351A6>.
Nice, I like how you do a little research on your own to add to the discussion. Graphene is a cool example because it has a ton of uses and is considered by some to be a super material. Also on the subject of odd combinations of molecules, I think chirality is also really cool in that you can have two molecules that are almost identical but are actually mirror images and non superimposable (like your left and right hand). Chiral molecules often have weird consequences as well.
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