When it comes to scientific study in nanoscience, our eyes fail us. The fact is we're all blind at the nanoscale, the smallest object we can see still looms thousands of times larger than a typical nano-sized structure. Even the most powerful microscopes can't peer into the nanoscale directly. So the blind have the ability to understand what's going on at the nanoscale just as much as anyone else. To give blind students a feel literally for nanoscience and technology, Greenberg and Mohammed Farhoud, a senior biochemistry student working with UW-Madison Center for Biology Education (CBE) Director Dave Evans, are building three-dimensional models of nano-surfaces that are large enough to be explored with the hands. Their first attempt replicates "NanoBucky," a nanoscale version of the UW-Madison mascot, Bucky Badger, made entirely from tiny carbon nanofiber hairs. Greenberg and Farhoud are confident they can build models from data produced by other common tools of the nanotechnology trade, such as atomic force microscopy (AFM). They also plan to duplicate other nanoscale surfaces, such as those made from materials called block copolymers.

Greenberg hopes the models will encourage more blind and visually impaired students to pursue science, technology and engineering. Because current learning and research tools don't allow them to experience science on their own, many blind students don't consider science an attractive career choice.
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