From 2D to 3D: the story of graphene in objects

• Main Author: Sarah Baines
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Science Museum, London 2018-11-01
• Series: Science Museum Group Journal
• Subjects: Graphene; contemporary science; contemporary collecting; museum exhibitions; material culture
• Online Access: http://journal.sciencemuseum.org.uk/browse/issue-10/from-2d-to-3d/

First isolated using sticky tape in Manchester in 2004, graphene is a nanoscience breakthrough which has captured the imagination of the press and the scientific community. Despite the obvious hook of the isolation story, nanoscience is a challenging topic to present in a museum exhibition. The Wonder Materials exhibition answered this challenge by introducing objects which would be familiar and relatable to visitors. This paper examines this approach using ten case-study objects featured in the exhibition to illustrate discussion of representation of the material culture of contemporary science in museum exhibitions, and to examine some of the curatorial methods used by the content team to make an intangible nanomaterial feel more real for visitors.