Screen saver/Graphics: What does the blue tube-like object represent?
The blue tube-like object represents the carbon nanotube through which the water is passing in the computer simulation. The blue spheres are carbon atoms. In some of the work units, the carbon nanotubes may have two layers of carbon atoms and in some there may be just one layer. The size of the carbon nanotube may also vary with work unit. Every 5 minutes the screen saver switches between a large view and a close-up view near the wall. The close-up view shows more of the water molecules present there in the simulation. In the larger version, only a sampling of the water molecules are drawn. This is done to limit the computer time required to show the picture.
