Thursday, May 21, 2015

Week 8: NanoTech + Art


Cardiologist at Washington University have designed nano particles that make blood clots visible through a X-ray technology. This new type of scanner allows for the doctor to see the metals in different colors and therefore interpret and make sure that the patient is stable. This breakthrough technology allows cardiologist to have a efficient way to detect and treat patients with clots and hopefully save lives. Professor Vesna explains nanotechnology's impact on artists are important because it introduces a whole new area of our eyes. Meaning even with the scientists the old methods are older and don't work and these nonscientists have to reinvent how science works. The collaboration within nano scientists will push the paradigm shift that we talked about first week between two cultures over the edge. Nano comes from the greek word for "dwarf" and also means one billionth of something. You are unable to see it with the naked eye. Nano scientist Jim Gimzewski formed very interesting lectures this week and explained the impact that Nanotechnology has on art along with sharing the many benefits and dangers of nanotechnology and art.  He explains nanotechnology in the science perspective but also its affect economically and sociologically. It has an impact of energy and food and informed that almost every aspect of science and technology is somehow impacted by nanotechnology.

                    

"Feeling the Invisible" 
Lotus Flower Leaf
Atoms are so tiny it seems impossible to be able to research and understand such small particles. The Scanning Tunneling Microscope is an invention that creates this opportunity. The STM tip and process to see a image is lengthy. After you trace it you can add color and create a map of the surface and this is when art blends with nanotechnology in someway. Being able to determine the geometry connection betweens diamonds and graphite is manageable due to the study and discovery of nano particles unseen by the human eye. This picture above shows the surface of a lotus flower leaf under an electron microscope. This leaf is known for its cleanliness and states that nano particles live on it. "Composite materials are made up of nano particles in a coating matrix make it possible to manufacture the surface required for the "Lotus-Effect"". The lotus leaf shows how nano technology solutions for self-cleaning are invisible to the eye and scientist who are further investigating will help future developments push the paradigm shift over the edge.


Gimzewski explains that the biggest market today is most likely nano particles. Nano particles are invisible. They go back all the way to Roman times. Ancient material in 15th and 16th century contain nano particles. One piece of ancient artwork from Umbria, Italy contains glazes of copper and silver. What makes this piece of artwork so fascinating is that you would not think there are nano particles within it but nano particles are probably on us right now that we have no idea about.


An interesting part of nanotechnology this week was learning although that they are many up and coming benefits to nano products on the other end there are potential risks of nano products. Dangers of sunscreens rely on nano particles and cosmetics such as L'oreal are examples of products that involve nano products. Small ingredients pose great risks and have to do more testing on them before released. Most products aren't even labeled that they contain nano particles. Nano particles in food and agriculture is common as well. There is food designed specifically for people and the use of nano structures is to capture food allows the food chemicals and flavors that are released and tasted a certain way. The health risks are still poorly understood because there is not much testing and needs to be more efficient test run in order for the nano technology to be labeled in the food products. Reflecting this week to other weeks we really see the immense impact that technology has on art.

Sources:
"Nanotechnology Solutions for Self-cleaning, Dirt and Water-repellent Coatings." Nanotechnology Solutions for Self-cleaning, Dirt and Water-repellent Coatings. 11 Jan. 2011. Web. 22 May 2015.
http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=19644.php


"New Nanoparticles Make Blood Clots Visible." NanoWiki Tracking Nanotechnology. 1 Feb. 2011. Web. 22 May 2015.
http://nanowiki.info/#%5B%5BNew%20nanoparticles%20make%20blood%20clots%20visible%5D%5D

"Art in the Age of Nanotechnology." Art.base. A Perth International Arts Festival Exhibition, 1 Feb. 2010. Web. 22 May 2015.
https://art.base.co/event/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology


"What Is Nanoscience? - Materials Science & Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin." Materials Science Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. Web. 22 May 2015.
http://tmi.utexas.edu/resources/what-is-nanoscience/

Murphy, Cathy. "The Atomic Difference Between Diamonds and Graphite." 18 Feb. 2014. Web. 22
May 2015.
http://sustainable-nano.com/2014/02/18/the-atomic-difference-between-diamonds-and-graphite/

Gimzewski, Jim. Lecture Week 8. May 21, 2015.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/making-stuff.html#making-stuff-smaller
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4 comments:

  1. carolinenguyenMay 25, 2015 at 6:52 PM

    Hi Danielle!
    You bring up a great point in your blog. Because this nanotechnology is so small, its use in products is easily unnoticed. Who's to say that these aren't dangerous, and even more so dangerous because the consumer cannot see them? I think you're right, we need more extensive testing. You also say that nano technology "introduces a whole new area of our eyes", but what I think you mean is that nanotech forces us to rely on something other than our eyes, since nanotechnology is invisible to the naked eye. I think with nanotech, we are forced to use other senses, ones less obvious and more difficult to rely on than sight. This is where artists would come in, to help the average person perceive nanotechnology and its impacts, without using sight.

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  2. UnknownMay 27, 2015 at 9:01 AM

    Hi Danielle!

    I really enjoyed reading your research of the Cardiologist at Washington University. I think that is a great example of the ways that nanotechnology can be positively used in science and medicine. Of course there are two sides to any argument, just as there are positive and negative aspects of nanotechnology. I also enjoyed how you tied in the idea of two cultures with the integrating of ideas from nano scientists. It will be exciting to see how innovative and creative this line of field will continue to get in the coming years!

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  3. UnknownMay 27, 2015 at 3:19 PM

    Danielle,

    I thought it was very interesting how you included real-life examples of some of the issues that arise with the topic of nanotechnology, such as sunscreen and the products that we use that are called "nano products". I had never thought of this before reading your blog. Also, I thought it was interesting that you included some of the history of nano particles and their discovery. I never thought of nanotechnology as being effective economically as well as socially, as you included in your blog.

    Jordyn

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  4. Blake EgoziMay 28, 2015 at 9:51 AM

    This was a very thorough explanation of this weeks material. I liked how you pulled in many of the lecture aspects but also gave outside information on it so it wasn't just a recap. Also pulling in first week lecture ideas with the nanotechnology really made everything come full circle. The paragraph about health risks was also very informing!

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