Exploring Materials Science with LEGO® Brick Models

Abstract

Various physical and chemical principles related to materials science and technology can be demonstrated with LEGO® models. Three-dimensional models are excellent tools for grasping structure-function relationships. Additionally, many people are familiar with LEGO® bricks, and most models can be built with a level of mechanical sophistication that does not intimidate or frustrate the user. LEGO® bricks typically have many connection sites, allowing tremendous flexibility in the structures that can be built. The bricks can be used to model both the structures of materials and the techniques used to study them. Many models can be built with varying degrees of sophistication, even incorporating electronics, enabling the user to focus on relatively simple concepts or more subtle details. The variety of models available also enables LEGO® bricks to fit into a variety of user budgets. This paper features models of the structures of materials, including unit cells, discrete molecules, and polymers. It also features models of analytical tools used to study materials, including models of a scanning probe microscope and a photometer. Details and building instructions of these and other models are featured in the book “Exploring the Nanoworld with LEGO® Bricks”. This book may be downloaded from the Internet at: http://mrsec.wisc.edu/edetc/LEGO/index.html.