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| | Colorful Exhibits
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Drug Discovery Robot in action |
Drug Discovery Robot
Who wouldn't want a robot around to
help you with the chores? When the chore is finding safe and
effective new drugs keep people well, we can use the help even more.
That's exactly the kind of robot LIMSAT-at-Mitchel
Field will have this fall thanks to our good friends at Long Island-based
OSI Pharmaceuticals, an innovative leader in the discovery,
development and commercialization of drugs to fight cancer.
At LIMSAT, we highlight the versatility of robotic components by showing
how the same robot can also challenge you at games of skill and accomplish
many other tasks.
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Light Mixing
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An example of an informal exhibit that was at our Kings Park site is based upon
scientific principles of color mixture. These principles form the basis
for an important Long Island technology, which can be found in many
manufacturing plants, as well as in your local paint store. It is common
for a person to walk in to one of these modern stores and ask for paint
of a certain color, to match a sample. The response of the sales person
will be slightly different in different stores. In one, a can of a base
paint will have different color "tints" added by a skilled
sales person until a visual match is obtained. In a more sophisticated
store, a computer might analyze the color sample and then program a
paint mixing machine to automatically add the appropriate colors. |
Either way, what we see is the result of color mixing. At preview LIMSAT, you
will be able to personally experience color mixing (lights, not paints!) on a
wall. Those familiar with the process of paint mixing are often amazed to
see that light mixing sometimes obtains a very different outcome. For
example, if you mix all lights together evenly you get pure white light, yet if
you mix all paints together, the result is closer to black. The reason is
that with light mixing you are adding more light, while in paint mixing you are
subtracting light. However, when we use light we can also demonstrate the
subtractive process by blocking certain lights while allowing others
through. The principles of light mixing are important in the
theater. Optics is a rich and complex subject, a science for hundreds of
years, and still the nature of light has not yet been fully revealed. For
a glimpse of other surprising light mixing results, come down and see us.
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Theremin: The Foundation of
Electronic Music |
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Leon Theremin
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Clara Rockmore
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| Leon Theremin lived the conflicted life of a Soviet
Scientist. Nevertheless his undisputed role in science began
with being the father of electronic music and the endlessly fascinating
instrument that bears his name. LIMSAT is proud to present one of
the many variations of that instrument. Along with color mixing,
this is our second exhibit where interaction is through the air
itself. The Theremin, you see, is played by interrupting the
energy fields around it with your hands. This, the original
"air guitar," was found to produce sounds so strange that no
work of early science fiction on film would be without it. And yet
there are Theremin virtuosos that produce concert music as well.
The playing of Clara Rockmore was never equaled, the Theremin took the
Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" to mega-hit status, and
the versatile instrument was used again most recently to mimic a violin
sound on NBC television's Saturday Night Live on Saturday January 13,
2001. You will need much practice before you join the virtuoso ranks. But first you have to try
a Theremin to
believe it. We suggest you begin at LIMSAT. |
| The Concave Mirror
Can your mirror at home do this? Concave surfaces like this
mirror are bowed in towards the center. Not only is there
distortion caused by the odd angles, but it drives the light to a focal
point. When you step back beyond its focal point, the light rays
cross each other and the image flips!
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LIMSAT
Radiation Exhibit Gets New Look |
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Our
very interesting exhibit about the natural sources of radiation has
gotten a new look....thanks to Graphic Designer, Jennifer Zimmet.
Jennifer re-did the graphics in a very appealing cartoon style,
helped us add some new info pictures and, best of all, did it for LIMSAT
on a volunteer basis! The
exhibit, ‘Learn About Radiation
and Radioactivity’ is based on a unit developed at the BNL Science
Museum (Brookhaven National Laboratory). An interesting, hands-on exhibit, you can discover lots about
natural and man-made radiation that is surprising...(the most surprising
discovery is the radiation (from polonium) in cigarettes!).
Geiger counter is
used to ‘hear’ particle decay in sand, sidewalk salt and...even that
red Fiestaware from the early 1930s. Besides being a LIMSAT museum
exhibit, ‘Learn About Radiation and Radioactivity’ travels to
special events around Long island.
Take a peek. |
Come see these and our other
attractions, and check this site often to watch us grow.
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