RoFlEx is a robotic exhibit intended as an attractive and effective tool for science communication. It is aimed at the demonstration and illustration of the fluorescence phenomenon and related processes through the execution of fully-automated or user-guided sets of experiments involving light and matter. To increase the didactic efficacy of the experience, the tested substances all derive from products in common use. The exhibit is controlled by moving a series of transparent cubes, allowing the selection either of single experiments (in this case the cube contains the product to be tested), or of the automatic full sequence of experiments, or the language of the explanatory slides accompanying the experiences. RoFlEx is also equipped with a chemical reactor to perform a fluorescence quenching experiment.
RoFlEx represents both an “end-product” for teaching and science communication, and an example of relatively-cheap equipment for such purposes. In its present form, it is already a mature museum exhibit, only requiring periodic replacements of labile products and refilling/emptying of reagents/products used in the reactor. Previous teaching and dissemination experiences demonstrated the enormous impact of such devices, especially to illustrate complex or scarcely-appealing subjects.
Furthermore, the acquired knowledge and some components developed for this exhibit can be usefully employed to design “low-cost” lab equipment and devices dedicated to special tasks for which no commercial alternatives are available.