The topic of this week was focused on nanotechnology. Like last week with neuroscience, we also know very little about this topic! However, perhaps the fact that we know so little about nanotechnology leaves more room for artists and scientists to be creative.
Nanotechnology is all about the things that are very small. In fact, the word “nano” comes from the Greek word for dwarf (Gimzewski). These nanoparticles are so small new phenomena dominate over the traditional physics that we know such as gravity. For reference, a meter is 10⁹ nanometers. Nanotechnology opens up a lot of doors for new technologies, including but not limited to: “bacteria that make gasoline; tiny devices that can repair individual cells, or even D.N.A.; gossamer threads, strong enough to hold up a bridge; or an elevator to the stars” ("Making Stuff Smaller”). Currently, nanotechnology has helped to make blood clots visible in order to combat cardiovascular disease, America’s number one killer (“New Nanoparticles Make Blood Clots Visible”). There is so much potential in the things we cannot see! But there are also downfalls to nanoparticles. Some pollution nanoparticles have been shown to damage the respiratory tract ("Findings on Pollution Damage”).
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| Geckos use nanotechnology in their feet to climb. |
Nanoparticles are nothing new, but rather they are something we had never thought of before. For instance, the nanostructure of gecko feet allows them to climb (Gimzewski). Also, a piece of ancient Roman pottery looks vastly different in different lighting due to nanoparticles ("The Lycurgus Cup”).
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| The Lycurgus Cup in daylight (left) and illuminated from the inside (right). |
Nanotechnology and art also exists today. Professor Vesna has a piece entitled “Nanomandala.” The work uses a scanning electron microscope to eventually reveal an image of a mandala.
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| Nanomandala. |
Only time will tell what the future holds in store for nanotechnology.
References:
Curtin, Jon. "Art in the Age of Nanotechnology." Art.base. Web. 21 May 2015.
"Findings on Pollution Damage." 1 Feb. 2011. Web. 21 May 2015.
"Making Stuff Smaller." PBS. PBS. Web. 21 May 2015.
"New Nanoparticles Make Blood Clots Visible." Tracking Nanotechnology. 7 Feb. 2011. Web. 21 May 2015.
"Programmable Bio-Nano-Chip as Medical Diagnostic Tool." NanoWiki. Web. 21 May 2015.
"The Lycurgus Cup." British Museum -. Web. 21 May 2015.
Hi Brooke! I thought that the images on your posts were very eye-catching. It is interesting that you touched on topics such as the powerful nanostructure of a gecko's feet, and the ancient Roman pottery that worked with nanoparticles to produce different colors. I think that there is still so much more potential in nanotechnology and art. It is interesting how the nanostructures of things can produce beautiful and aesthetically pleasing pictures of art!
ReplyDeleteNanotechnology is seen in many other fields, we have seen how it has been used in art such as in fashion with special fabrics and it has increasingly become important in makeup. It has also been greatly used in the field of biology and medicine as you have mentioned in your first paragraph.
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