Science exhibition has ice-cream clouds licked

Clouds made from ice-cream and insects that diagnose illness are among the highlights of an innovative new science exhibition.

The 'What If…' project sees artists join forces with scientists to explore the weird and wonderful possibilities of new technology.

One of the most eye-catching exhibits at Dublin's Science Gallery is a straw head-dress more suited to the stables than the Galway Races.

London artist Michael Burton said the hat was created for function, not fashion.

"It's designed to funnel saliva from cows directly into the mouth," he explained.

"Our separation from our environment and bacteria actually accelerates conditions like eczema and asthma so my project was looking at how we can redesign our relationship with bacteria in different ways."

Twenty designers from around the world are featured in the 'What If…' exhibition.

Visitors to the Science Gallery will also be able to post their opinions about the displays on the social networking site Twitter.

"We really want to encourage the public to ask their own What If questions about the future, to conjure up their own scenarios and ideas," the gallery's director Michael John Gorman said.

"It really challenges you to think about both the huge potential and sometimes frightening possibilities of technology and science."

The exhibition opens tomorrow and runs until December 13.