Illumination in a wooden base

 

Inclusion of an accentuated unit cell into a large organic molecule

 

Central atom of a complex highlighted with larger ball

 

Large molecular model with slate base and integral LED lighting

 

Molecular models with extra features

 

Molecular models and crystal structure models are intrinsically educational and the ones that we make are often objects of beauty. Many of our customers, though, are looking for something particularly special. You may simply want your model enhanced to illustrate certain aspects of the crystal structure, or you may want models that are slightly more abstract than mainstream molecular models for product advertising. More often, people simply want models that are particularly special for a student's Ph.D. viva, or a colleague's well-earned retirement. Whatever you want, if it is possible, we will do our best to make it happen.

The most obvious enhancement to give a model is simply to mount it on a base. Originally, we simply offered clear acrylic bases, but we now offer a range of materials, from acrylic and hardwood through to slate and granite. Bases 'ground' a model, they make them more than simple models and change them into something to be displayed. Naturally, when you have an object mounted on a base, it often helps to have a plaque, either simply to provide the name of the compound, or to add an inscription commemorating the event for which the model was given. If you want an inscribed plaque, we are happy to arrange that along with the base. If you want lighting in the base - or even within atoms in the model (if they are large enough), we can include that too.

The next commonest feature that we are asked for is for us to provide a larger model (i.e. a model that includes more atoms) than normal - our standard sized models are typically around 1.3a x 1.3b x 1.3c unit cells in size, as this provides the smallest (and therefore cheapest) size of model that includes all the coordination features of the crystal structure. More atoms make the model much more eye-catching, though, and we can very easily add atoms effectively without limit. One our largest, for example, was a 2m high model of quartz that included over 4000 atoms, and was simply mesmerising to look at.

Particularly, although not exclusively, with larger models, people often find it useful to include a highlighted unit cell, so that the viewer can better appreciate the repeating unit in the structure. This can be done subtly with slightly larger diameter rods, or we can really emphasise the cell with anodised aluminium or polymer sheathing so that the cell is shown in bright colours.

Beyond that, there is a wide range of features or ways of building your molecular model / crystal structure that we can add to almost any model.

The images on this page illustrate just a few features that we can include in your models to make them stand out. Other example features include, but are certainly not limited to those listed below. But, we are always open to being asked to do new things, so if there in anything that you think you might like included in your model, please contact us - many of the things that we now do as standard result from customers asking for us to do them.

 

Complex space group illustrated by minimal symmetry elements

 

Quite simply, just a huge model

 

Complex with multiple large balls on a solid granite base