Stained glass panel for the Nanoscience Building, University of Cambridge, 11 JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 OFF

These illustrations show the design, installation and final work.

June 2006

New Stained Glass at Cambridge Centre for Nanotechnology

Nanoscience is the study of matter at sizes between approximately 1 and 100 nanometers. ("Nano" indicates 10-9 or 0.000 000 001 of a metre.) One of the most important pieces of equipment is the atomic force microscope (AFM) which is used to observe and to manipulate particles at the nanoscale. The AFM consists of a cantilever with a sharp tip at its end. The tip is used to scan surfaces of specimens under study. Intermolecular forces between the point and the surface deflect the cantilever, from which readings are taken to deduce the structure beneath the point.

At Cambridge University the AFM has inspired the logo of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Nanoscience, a new building that occupies a site at the north east corner of the Cavendish Laboratories. In June this year a stained glass panel was installed with the logo as its central feature. It shows the area of maximum atomic force in blue, fading to red as particle activity decreases. The tip of the microscope, usually silicon or silicon nitride, is replaced by a sweep of calligraphy. This symbolises the writing function of the instrument which alters as well as records molecular structures.

The building was completed in 2003 and the glass hangs above a corridor between the office area and the "clean rooms". The latter being air conditioned to the high levels required for nano research.

The project was initiated by Professor Mark Welland FRS, Director of the Nanoscale Science Group, who asked Tim Armstrong to design and make a panel to include the logo.

Tim has used conventional leaded lights to show the blue-red gradation, and mirror to indicate the sweep of calligraphy. The mirror reflects the internal architecture, while the leaded lights exploit the back lighting of the sky.

Viewed from different distances, the panel appears alternately punctured and solid. Ambiguity is a feature of nanoscience where materials change their physical and optical properties simply because of their size.

A third element of the design illustrates effects of scale by using stacked glass. Tim assembled more than 1500 pieces into 14 sequences to exploit the illusion of colour assimilation. These are arranged to surround the logo so that the cut edges rather than the faces of the glass are seen. Assimilation is the illusion in which hues apparently merge while discrete shapes or lines are still visible. The long corridor of the Centre is ideal to exploit these effects which alter according to distance.

Acknowledgements:

Metal Fusion Technology Ltd. for making the aluminium framework according to my design.

Unit B6/7 Brook Street Business Centre

Brook Street

Tipton DY4 9DD

Dave Roberts and technicians at the Engineering Department of Cambridge University for technical advice, general assistance and manufacture of the brackets to hang the frame.