Innovation Pushing the Limits Silicon Valley researchers and scientists are constantly exploring new technologies whose future consequences are only partially known, and the impacts of which will not be felt for some time. Here, too, visitors will be able to explore technologies under development, such as moving atoms with a scanning tunneling microscope. These workbenches are made up of several open-ended, tabletop experiences with a main graphic panel and instructional graphics.
Visitors play with lasers, lenses, reflectors, modulators, and other input devices.
These experiences will center on the thermocouple and phototransistor, and will also allow visitors to examine in detail sensors that detect pressure. They can investigate such things as Ohm's Law or why a light bulb connected in series with the motor glows only when the motor first starts. A second workbench lets visitors experiment with resistors and capacitors in their simplest form and gain knowledge about basic electrical components. Curiosity Counter Nanotechnology is revolutionizing electronics, medicine and other cutting edge technologies. The main goal of this exhibit is to bring visitors very close to the awesome smallness of a wide range of new devices and technologies.