Close-up of a wood surface with sections labeled H, I, B, and C, black inked markings, a small jar of Raster Spheres opaque black acrylic paint, and a pair of precision tweezers.

A tactile educational clock with Braille and raised numbers, displaying the letter H and atomic number 1.008, with a pointing finger and the text 'The Tactile Periodic Table' at the bottom.

“The Tactile Periodic Table”

By Michael Fricke

The Craft of Accessibility

A man with glasses and a beard wearing a white lab coat, blue shirt, and patterned tie, smiling in a professional setting.

Michael Fricke, Ph.D

He is the Chief Scientific Officer and partner in an environmental lead laboratory start-up called Cleveland Analytical LLC. Prior to starting this lab, Fricke worked in analytical development in the pharmaceutical industry and was the analytical lead for Molnupiravir, the first approved oral treatment for COVID-19. His graduate and post-doctoral research was devoted to the study of arsenic. This work culminated in the discovery, successful synthesis and then isolation of dimethylthioarsinic acid (DMTA). DMTA has since been identified as the most cytotoxic metabolite of arsenic in humans and may prove critical to understanding the toxic effects associated with low-level chronic arsenic exposure. Dr Fricke is a Councilor for the Akron Section of the American Chemical Society and member of the ACS Committee for Chemists with Disabilities (CWD). Fricke combined his woodworking passion and collaboration with fellow committee member Mona Minkara to create the Tactile Periodic Table Project. This project received the 2025 ACS Presidential Spark Grant and has expanded with a goal of 50 Tactile Periodic Tables in 50 states by the 50th anniversary of CWD in 2030.

Gallery

Group of people sitting around a table playing a game of bingo at a conference. The table has bingo cards, markers, and small plates. In the background, there are posters, a map display, and other attendees at the event.

Three women engaging with a scientific exhibit at a conference, with poster presentation in the background and various scientific equipment on a table.

“Where others see symbols, I feel structures — and both paths lead to the same truth
”

“Tactile science empowers blind individuals to be creators of knowledge, not just consumers.”

Group of diverse people at a professional conference, some wearing blue shirts, in a room with a large periodic table display and a sign reading "Welcome to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center".

“Tactile learning turns barriers in science into bridges.”

The tactile periodic table has since traveled to many places, sparking conversations about inclusion in science. Today, it has found its permanent home at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.

Periodic table of elements printed on a wooden surface.

“Accessibility is not an accommodation; it is a driver of innovation.”

A woman with a cane and a man standing in front of a board displaying the periodic table at an ACS event. The woman points at the table, and the man looks on. There is a blue ACS banner on the table with the words "Chemistry for Life" and "American Chemical Society." A poster behind them shows support from various organizations for a tactile periodic table project.

Group of people sitting and standing around a table playing Scrabble at an event with a large blue wall and yellow graphics in the background.

Origin Story of the Tactile Periodic Table

A collaboration between woodworking and chemistry turned into a project that made science more accessible.

Mona Samer Minkara, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Bioengineering at Northeastern University. A blind scientist driven by curiosity and resilience, she uses computer simulations to study chemical interactions in the lungs, with the goal of advancing drug delivery and treatment. Born to Lebanese immigrant parents and diagnosed with macular degeneration at age seven, Mona defied expectations and pursued her passion for science, earning her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Florida and completing postdoctoral research at the University of Minnesota. Today, through her teaching, research, and advocacy, she is committed to making science more inclusive and accessible for future generations.

How it Began

The idea for the tactile periodic table began during a Chemists with Disabilities Committee meeting. In conversation with my colleague, Friki, we started discussing his passion for woodworking. Out of that exchange came a simple but powerful idea: What if we created a wooden periodic table that was tactically accessible for the blind?

The First Carving

After experimenting with small wooden element blocks, Friki’s first gift was carving my name—Mona—using the elements Molybdenum (Mo) and Sodium (Na). It was a thoughtful and symbolic gesture that set the tone for the project.

Finding a Home

From there, the iterations continued, each version improving on the last. Eventually, Friki crafted a complete tactile periodic table—both a work of art and accessibility..

A wooden block featuring the periodic table symbols for Molybdenum and Niobium with their atomic numbers, mass, and braille representations, set against a green and beige background.

Locations of Impact

The Tactile Periodic Table is beginning its journey in Boston at Northeastern University, where the first prototype has been introduced. As we continue to collaborate with educators, researchers, and institutions, more locations will be added to the map—expanding access and impact across the country.