Dynamic visualization of a nanoscale process on the cover of Small

As nanoscale technologies are rapidly developed by leading materials scientists, the high impact journal Small highlights these discoveries for researchers and engineers. Vibrant and descriptive covers visualize featured work from each issue.

The Creative Director of Morphology LLC, Dr. Isabel Romero Calvo, created a dynamic visualization of work from the lab of Dr. Sangil Kim, a Chemical Engineer from the University of Illinois Chicago. Isabel says, “working at the micro or nanoscale is allows a lot of creative freedom.” Her representation of Sangil’s synthetic triple-layered membrane composed of hexagonal boron nitride-nanoflakes (hBNF) conveys its critical functions.

Initial sketches to of compositions to depiction a triple-layered hBNF synthetic membrane for the cover of Small.

Design process for visualization of the hBNF membrane for the cover of Small

Three initial compositions were produced which illustrated the membrane from different perspectives. After consultation with Dr. Sangil, a direct horizontal composition was selected.

Next, various color options and textures were tested to find the look and feel that would best represent Sangil’s discovery and invite the audience to open the journal and learn more.

Learn more about the cover here:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/smll.201970264

The final design consists of textured membrane layers to mimic the hexagonal boron nitride flakes. The blue transparent spheres are water molecules that are able to flow through the pores, and the contrasting yellow spheres are ion molecules that are blocked on one side of the membrane. A horizontal composition provides a clear visualization of the function of the nanoparticle membrane. When discussing the work, Isabel added, “it is exiting to create visually interesting work to showcase innovative science.”

Find the complete article here:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/smll.201904590