Open-Source, Tactile 3D Printed Interlockable Tiles Incorporating Valency, Bonding, and Hybridization for Molecular Representation for Sighted and Visually Impaired Students

Abstract

Learning to write chemical formulas of compounds is a basic and indispensable part of understanding and studying chemistry. However, it is hard for students with visual impairment to assess and learn molecular arrangements and formulas. For the convenience of such students with special needs, it is necessary to come up with easy, comprehensive, and efficient solutions to make them independent, self-reliant, and be able to control their progress at their own pace. This can be achieved with the aid of emerging new technologies such as 3D printing. In the current research work, a 3D printed model was designed and developed. The open-source repository of 3D printable model design files for the basic building blocks to represent chemical formulas of different elements such as carbon, hydrogen, other elements, and related organic as well as inorganic compounds are being shared freely. These models feature a lock and key design, like jigsaw puzzle pieces, along with Braille and print notation that allow learning to be more interactive, engaging, productive, and effective as the sense of touch (tactile) is one of the primary ways through which visually impaired people perceive physical entities. Each elemental piece in the model is designed specifically as per its available bonding electrons, i.e., valency, allowed only to connect with another complementary element in a unique configuration to ensure their correct arrangement and representation using the lock-and-key feature. The concept of hybridization is also included for enhanced learning.