Embedded Files
Our lab is utilizing 3D printing to develop freely available printable models of catalyst structures to teach about catalysis to people of all ages. The goal of the project is to develop fun and easy to understand hand-held models that are interactive educational tools that click together and feel like toys!
All of the files below are free to download and use for educational purposes. If you have any questons, please email Dr. Lucas Ellis.
A note on 3D printing:
3D printing technology has come a far way but it is still not perfect. As a result many prints need different settings to succeed, and many prints will need to be thoroughly cleaned from their support after printing. We highly recommend using a pair of small wire cutters to help remove supports from your print and smoothen up afterward, but it is unlikely that a 3D print will ever have a perfect smooth finish. For what settings to use for each print consult the tab labeled "Thing details" then "Instructions".
Building Block Set - Zeolites (Faujasite and A-type)
Building Block Set - Zeolites (Faujasite and A-type)
Developed by Samantha Hoffman & Lucas D. Ellis
This design replicates Sodalite cages and how they fit together and create pores for both the Zeolite Type A and the Zeolite Type X, Y (Faujasite) configurations. Additionally, there are various designs that click into the two holes on the zeolite that can be used to highlight or represent various single-site interactions.
Length scales for these models translate as 4mm for the model equals 1 Angstrom in the real world.
Active site pieces have also been developed to represent various functionalizations of zeolites with metal or metal oxide dopants or other sites like acid sites. The single site design is available here.
Designs available:
Designs available:
Zeolite Faujasite set (Sodalite cage x 32, Hexagon connecter x 48)
Zeolite Type A set (Sodalite cage x 27, Square connector x 36)
3pc Set (Sodalite cage x 1, Hexagon connecter x 1, Square connector x 1)
Sodalite cage only
Hexagon connector only
Square connector only
Building Block Set - Nanoparticles
Building Block Set - Nanoparticles
Developed by Samantha Hoffman & Lucas D. Ellis
These Lego nanoparticles can click into a Lego-style build plate and can be used as a tool to describe various concepts of catalyst chemistry to all age groups. The design for these combines 2 pre-existing designs, one for a Lego brick available here, and another for the half nano-particles available here.
Length scales for these models translate as 2mm for the model equals 1 Angstrom in the real world.
Instructions for 3D printing a Vesta file
Instructions for 3D printing a Vesta file
Developed by Samantha Hoffman, Eliana Choi, & Lucas D. Ellis
This document goes over step-by-step instructions on how to transform a Vesta file into a 3D print.
The left image is a VESTA file, and the right image is a picture of two 3D prints of that exact VESTA file!
Assorted Designs
Assorted Designs
Developed by Samantha Hoffman & Lucas D. Ellis
This design holds itself together but is misleading because it has inaccurate cleaves
This design is meant to be used to highlight single sites on the sodalite cages
ethene/ethylene, propene/propylene, cis-2-butene, trans-2-butene
Future Efforts
Future Efforts
Developed by Samantha Hoffman & Lucas D. Ellis
Magnetic atoms & Surfaces
Magnetic atoms & Surfaces
We also are developing mini magnetic atoms with a completely hidden magnet. In conjunction with hidden magnet surfaces we will make a tool to talk about catalyst chemistry and how the surface type can impact reactions. We also might try to hide magnets within the nanoparticle design.
Magnetic FCC Cube
Magnetic FCC Cube
We are developing an FCC cube with accurate cleaves that can hold itself together via magnets. We have found that if the magnets are not perfectly orthogonal the design will shift and not hold itself in the correct shape.
Hidden Magnet FCC Cube
Hidden Magnet FCC Cube
Building on the Magnetic FCC cube, we also want to build a version of the Magnetic FCC Cube that has completely hidden magnets. We are running into issues here with the magnets not being strong enough to go through the 2 layers of plastic.
Rotating Alkene Models
Rotating Alkene Models
The rotation aspect of the alkene molecules we chose to print was not particularly relevant, but in the future we hope to have the ability for single bonds freely rotate while keeping double bonds fixed. This would allow us to print long carbon chains that could "flow" through our zeolite designs.
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