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A laboratory that fits in the palm of your hand: children discover micro-scale science at Técnico

3 days agoupdated 19 hours ago

The second talk of “Explain it like I’m 5” demonstrated how miniaturized laboratories work.

On 12 November, the Great Hall at Instituto Superior Técnico buzzed with little footsteps, chairs being dragged, and expectant murmurs before the second talk of “Explain it like I’m 5” began. At the back of the room, a child’s voice anticipated the theme of the session: “I can’t see anything”. The phrase echoed the challenge scheduled for that morning – to explain a universe that exists but cannot be seen, in the 3rd season of the “Explain it like I’m 5 – Science talks at Técnico for curious children and adults”, taking place every month.

Wearing a white coat, Vânia Silvério, a researcher at Técnico / Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores – Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias (INESC MN), lifted a small silicon circle, shining under the projector light. “It’s called a wafer”, she emphasised. “But this one isn’t for eating”. The smooth, shiny piece marked the beginning of the journey into miniaturized laboratories.

As she described how these discs serve as the basis for microscopic structures, the children leaned forward in their chairs, following her every gesture. “The tiny squares you see are called chips”, she added, showing how a single “wafer” can be divided into multiple devices. Someone raised their hand to ask the first question: “What is it for?” The question paved the way for an explanation of processes that occur on a microscopic scale.

Questions about bacteria, molecules and chemical reactions followed one after another. Vânia Silvério explained that these devices allow us to observe phenomena that are impossible to detect with the naked eye and carry out tests similar to those in a conventional laboratory. She also pointed out that miniaturization can reduce the use of animals in research. “We want to avoid using more mice”, she said, showing how some of these chips replace larger-scale procedures.

The researcher then talked about the “clean rooms” where these devices are produced. She described the full suits, masks and protective equipment needed to prevent contamination from small fibres released by clothing. A laboratory where every detail matters sparked new questions and expressions of surprise among the audience.

The invisible scale began to take shape through projected images, comparisons with familiar objects, and video demonstrations. To explain the microchannels through which liquids flow, Vânia Silvério compared them to “a very thin hose”, helping the viewers visualize how various forces propel small amounts of fluid forward. She also showed particles that “spin” inside the devices, a concept linked to spintronics, which, at that moment, was visualised through circular gestures made by small arms lined up in the front row.

Then, Vânia Silvério explained that these laboratories can operate outside Earth, where the absence of gravity alters the movement of liquids and the way certain reactions occur. Immediately, several faces turned upwards, as if trying to follow the path of these devices in an environment without a force “pulling us down”.

Several questions followed until the end. “How do you make these wafers?” became the most repeated question of the morning. The explanation of techniques that use light to write layer by layer – comparable to a “light printer” – once again captured the attention of the room.

By the end of the morning, eyes remained fixed on the small silicon circles resting on the table, echoes of drops in microchannels seen on video and lively conversations about “things that exist but cannot be seen”. The room gradually emptied, but the main idea remained: in that session, amid curiosity and scientific research, the invisible world had become, for a moment, visible to the curious eyes of the children.

The series of talks “Explain it like I’m 5” is organised by Técnico and aims at primary school children. The talks bring scientific research closer to society by promoting dialogue between scientists and children. All talks are sold out.