Chemical modeling apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for modeling chemical structures having multiple types of bonding. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to an apparatus for modeling chemical structures having multiple types of bonding, including hydrogen bonding. In an embodiment, the invention is a molecular modeling device including a plurality of molecular components. The molecular components can include a first elemental component comprising a plurality of first magnets, a second elemental component comprising a second magnet, and a primary structural bond attaching the first elemental component to the second elemental component. The molecular components can be attached to other molecular components through secondary structural bonds, wherein the primary structural bond attaches more strongly than the secondary structural bond. In an embodiment, the first and second magnets each include first and second magnetic poles, the first magnets disposed on the exterior of the first elemental component with the first magnetic pole pointing away from the interior of the first elemental components. The second magnet can be disposed on the exterior of the second elemental component with the second magnetic pole of the second magnet pointing away from the interior of the second elemental component.

1 . A molecular modeling device comprising: 
 a plurality of molecular components comprising 
 a first elemental component comprising a plurality of first magnets;  
 a second elemental component comprising a second magnet; and  
 a primary structural bond attaching the first elemental component to the second elemental component;  
   wherein molecular components are attached to other molecular components through magnetic attraction between first magnets and second magnets; wherein the primary structural bond attaches more strongly than the secondary structural bond.    
   
   
       2 . The molecular modeling device of  claim 1 , the first and second magnets each having first and second magnetic poles, the first magnets disposed on the exterior of the first elemental component with the first magnetic pole pointing away from the interior of the first elemental components; the second magnet disposed on the exterior of the second elemental component with the second magnetic pole of the second magnet pointing away from the interior of the second elemental component.  
   
   
       3 . The molecular modeling device of  claim 1 , the first magnetic pole comprising a South pole and the second magnetic pole comprising a North pole.  
   
   
       4 . The molecular modeling device of  claim 1 , the first magnetic pole comprising a North pole and the second magnetic pole comprising a South pole.  
   
   
       5 . The molecular modeling device of  claim 1 , the primary structural bond non-reversibly attaching the first elemental component to the second elemental component.  
   
   
       6 . The molecular modeling device of  claim 1 , the primary structural bond comprising a fastening device.  
   
   
       7 . The molecular modeling device of  claim 3 , the fastening device comprising a screw.  
   
   
       8 . The molecular modeling device of  claim 1 , the primary structural bond comprising an adhesive.  
   
   
       9 . The molecular modeling device of  claim 1 , the first elemental component comprising a material selected from the group consisting of wood, cellulose fiber, polymer, glass, metal, and a composite.  
   
   
       10 . The molecular modeling device of  claim 1 , the second elemental component comprising a material selected from the group consisting of wood, cellulose fiber, polymer, glass, metal, and a composite.  
   
   
       11 . The molecular modeling device of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of molecular components attach to other molecular components through secondary structural bonds to model secondary structure.  
   
   
       12 . The molecular modeling device of  claim 1 , wherein two second elemental components are non-reversibly attached to one first elemental component.  
   
   
       13 . The molecular modeling device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second elemental components are spherical.  
   
   
       14 . The molecular modeling device of  claim 1 , the first magnets disposed on the exterior of the first elemental component in an orientation to model the charge symmetry distribution on an atom.  
   
   
       15 . The molecular modeling device of  claim 1 , the first magnets disposed on the exterior of the first elemental component at a position wherein lines connecting each of the first magnets with the center of the first elemental component intersect at an angle of between 100 and 115 degrees.  
   
   
       16 . The molecular modeling device of  claim 15 , the angle comprising a tetrahedral angle of about 109.5 degrees.  
   
   
       17 . A molecular modeling device comprising: 
 a plurality of molecular components comprising a first atomic component and a second atomic component; and    means for attaching molecular components together to simulate both primary and secondary structure of a chemical compound.    
   
   
       18 . The molecular modeling device of  claim 17 , wherein the means for attaching molecular components together to simulate both primary and secondary structure of a chemical compound simulates both covalent bonding and electrostatic bonding.  
   
   
       19 . The molecular modeling device of  claim 17 , wherein the means for attaching molecular components together to simulate both primary and secondary structure of a chemical compound simulates both covalent bonding and hydrogen bonding.