Hi Joel, We have recently opened a new exhibit on modern mathematics
titled "Beyond Numbers" and have 2 minimal surface dipping stations that
are motorized with 2 shapes in each unit. One unit has a wire frame cube
and a tetrahedron, the other has a trefoil knot and a cylinder for
producing catenoids. These two units have visitor activated controls,
allowing for dipping and stopping at any chosen point. They each hold
about 15 gallons of water.
We have bubble skimming blowers on each unit, which activate each time a
surface is formed. Repeated uses cause a bubbly build up which should be
removed for optimal performance.
While we have models of the Costa Surface in the exhibit, a 48" in
diameter one made out of fiberglas, and several small hand held models,
we have not included it in the soap film area, although the two certainly
are the same(minimal surfaces). It seems the boundary parameters needed
for a pure minimal surface cannot be made with the Costa.
It IS POSSIBLE to form the surface from soap, but you have to include the bounda
ries formed from the
fundamental pieces.
We've produced a 6,000 sq, ft. traveling duplicate exhibit which will go on
the road next summer, in case you're interested!
Please contact me directly with further questions, We are certainly glad
to help.
Regards, Peter Shrope

--
 [log in to unmask]       MD Science Center Exibits
On Fri, 15 Dec 1995, Joel Clark wrote:

> Hi All.
>
> We are working on an exhibit showing how soap films form minimal surfaces and
> in general would like to illustrate math concepts using soap bubbles.  Will
> you help us by telling us what exhibits exist at other museums, especially
> having mathematics connections?
>
> We would like to contact those places for advice on devices for making
> particular bubble "assemblies", controlling evaporation, handling the mess if
> visitors handle bubbles, how to form difficult surfaces such as Costas-Hoffman
> minimal surface.
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Joel Clark
> Science Center of Connecticut
> [log in to unmask]
>