Visitors will get to see, touch and experience almost 50 materials including Aerogel, the lightest solid in the world (dubbed ‘solid smoke'); Graphene, a layer of graphite just one atom thick but 200 times stronger than steel; and smart textiles that store information, keep your gadgets charged and raise oxygen levels in blood.

The exhibition opening co-incides with the launch of Nanoweek 2012, which runs from 14-21 September. Nanoweek is an initiative of NanoNet Ireland, a single body of academia and industry designed to promote awareness of nanoscience and its contribution to the Irish economy where it is linked to 120,000 jobs, and 10% of annual exports (€15 billion).

Alongside the Magical Materials Exhibition CRANN will host the 2012 Nanoweek Conference on 17 and 18 September bringing together international researchers and senior industry figures.

Dr Diarmuid O'Brien, executive director of CRANN, said: "The hugely significant impact of nanoscience and material science on our everyday lives is such that general and widespread understanding of its reach is crucial. Nanoweek 2012, through Magical Materials brings the impact of this research to life in a very tangible way for the public. Nanoscience is a crucial contributor to the Irish economy."

During Nanoweek, the winner of the 2012 RDS/Intel Prize Lecture for Nanoscience will be announced and ‘director of stuff, producer of things, maker of objects and collector of materials' Zoe Loughlin will present Performativity of Matter on 18 September, while Mark Miodownik from the Institute of Making will speak on 27 September.

TechCentral Reporters

Pictured: CRANN researcher and Dublin Rose Sloane Reeves and Arlene O'Neill