Bih-Yaw Jin

Statement

As a chemist fascinated by nano-scale geometries, I've delved into the world of mathematical beading, discovering a method to create rough 3D representations of various fullerenes, zeolites, and other molecular structures solely using beads and strings. These bead models serve as macroscopic valence sphere models for molecules, showcasing their structural intricacies. In this exhibition, I introduce an expansion of these bead models, transforming specific sphere packing arrangements into an innovative category of interlocking puzzles centered around five-bead chains..

Artworks

The sculpture embodies a sphere packing representation of the polyhedrane molecule, C48H48, structured in the form of a great rhombicuboctahedron. This molecular configuration consists of forty-eight carbon atoms positioned at the vertices of the great rhombicuboctahedron, each bonded to a hydrogen atom. The sculpture was crafted by assembling twenty-four pre-made chains of five beads each, interconnected through appropriate cross-linking.

The sculpture represents a sphere packing rendition of Buckminsterfullerane, C60H60, arranged in the structure of a truncated icosahedron. This molecular arrangement comprises sixty carbon atoms located at the vertices of the truncated icosahedron, with each carbon atom bonded to a hydrogen atom. Constructed by assembling thirty pre-made chains, each consisting of five beads, the sculpture is interconnected through appropriate cross-linking.