Presented by Katherine Phillips and Benjamin Sanchez-Lengeling


Science and art are often seen as disparate topics, but they frequently intertwine in surprising and interesting ways. In this talk, we will see how science can help us analyze, understand, and even create works of art. In doing so, we will lead the audience on a sensory adventure that will be fascinating for art-lovers and science-lovers alike. First, we will discuss how analytical chemistry can answer questions about visual art – questions such as: How was this made? Who made it? How old is it? Is it made with chicken eggs or duck eggs? We will then present an example of how we can create art using science: making music using computational chemistry. By simulating the quantum mechanical laws of physics that govern small things, we will investigate the vibrations of molecules. The talk will finish with an interactive performance in which we will “hear” the molecules make music.

Lecture

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