My Reflections…
“Last few weeks at the C2L Club have been a rollercoaster… The rate of growth and level of energy among the kids is mind-boggling! I have had kids joining in from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and even Singapore! All the way from Grade 3 to Grade 8. Although still in its infancy stage, these weeks have proven that the thirst for knowledge among kids knows no boundaries. Given the means and a bit of direction, they will absorb all the knowledge and continue to learn – driven by their curiosity alone! We just need to keep kindling it…
Molecule-sized Tools
Well, you can start thinking of molecule-sized propellers, switches, and even nano-cars – all made up of a just few molecules. Now, thats just straight out of a sci-fi book, isn’t it?!
Background – The Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2016 was shared by 3 scientists: Jean-Pierre Sauvage (France), Sir J. Fraser Stoddart (USA) and Bernard Feringa (The Netherlands) “for the design and synthesis of molecular machines” (quoted from the Nobel Prize)
In simple terms, they developed the smallest machines (with moveable parts) made up of just a few molecules.
Forests of Avatar in Real Life
Imagine going to a forest that glows – just like in the 2009 movie, Avatar.
Scientists have long been working to create plants that glow in the dark (bioluminiscent plants). Although bioluminiscence (living organisms that glow) can be found in nature, it is not very common. Most attempts of creating glowing plants have lasted for just a few hours or are not bright enough- that is until now. In March 2020, researchers have made a plant that glows right after it sprouts, and continues to do so all through its lifetime*.
