Nanotechnology + Art - Week 8

Nanotechnology seems like one of those shiny words that gets tossed around on TV a lot, but not many people quite know exactly what it is. Nano refers to a specific scale of size between 1 and 100 nanometers; one billionth of a meter. And Nanotechnology refers to technology that can control and manipulate matter at this scale of size. The term itself "non-technology" was first used by Norio Taniguchi in 1974, and the first uses of the technology actually appeared as early as 400 B.C. when Romans, potentially on accident, used it in glass-making to change the color of the glass as the sun shines on it.

The Lycurgus Cup

We actually use nanotechnology in our everyday lives much more than I previously thought. The most common use of nanotechnology is in medicine where they can do things like manipulate nanoparticles to perform surgeries on a cellular level. Other more ordinary applications of these particles include silver nanoparticles in fabric that kill bacteria to make them odor-resistant, and their presence in skin-care products to deliver vitamins deeper into the skin. Dr. Gimzewski is a Scottish physicist who is one of the most qualified and well versed scientists in the field of nanotechnology and he said that nanoparticles are probably responsible for one of the largest markets today. The functionality of these particles are extensive and the need is immense. Nanotechnology has two main uses at the moment: UV filters, and as a delivery system. And these two uses cover an incredibly large realm of functions from make-up products and sunscreen to increasing solar cell efficiency in solar panels. These little things are mind-blowing, and can also be quite beautiful.
Artists have also found ways to visualize nanotechnology with incredibly powerful research tools. Using equipment like electron scanning microscopes to image particles that are smaller than wavelengths of visible light, so the images initially come back as grey. Nanotech and Art are just another example of the evolving marriage of science and technology, and have produced quite beautiful works in the process.

Nanotechnology Art

Sources

Bradley, Paul. "Everyday Applications of Nanotechnology." Community College Weekly. All Things Community College, 3 Oct. 2011. Web. 21 May 2016. <http://ccweek.com/article-2630-everyday-applications-of-nanotechnology.html>.

Feder, Barnaby J. "The Art of Nanotech." Bits. The New York Times, 25 Jan. 2008. Web. 21 May 2016. <http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/25/the-art-of-nanotech/?_r=0>.

Victoria, Vesna, narr. “Nanotech for Artists Part 1-6” N.p. web. May 21, 2016

"What It Is and How It Works." Nano. Web. 21 May 2016. <http://www.nano.gov/nanotech-101/what>.

"California NanoSystems Institute." People. 2011. Web. 21 May 2016. <http://faculty.cnsi.ucla.edu/institution/personnel?personnel_id=113179>.

"Nanotechnology." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 21 May 2016. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanotechnology>.

Images

https://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1402890/lycurgus-cup.jpg?w=400

https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/shrinknp_800_800/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAMjAAAAJGY3YmZiNmY1LWNjZmUtNGU1ZC05NzYzLWM1ZjJmYThhZmNhNw.jpg

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/01/17/technology/20080117_NANOART_SLIDESHOW_3.html