Friday, May 24, 2024

Week 8: Nanotechnology + Art

 Nanotechnology was a very unfamiliar field for me prior to this week, and learning through the lectures by Professor Gimzewski was incredibly insightful. I was paricularly fascinated in how this week's topic can take on many different hats as nanotechnology and societal perception interact, almost combining fantasy with scientific understanding. What stuck out to me was the development of the electron microscope, which allowed scientists to see and "feel" into a new world (Gimzewski pt2 8:01 - 8:56). '

Scanning Tunneling Microscope (source: https://webhome.phy.duke.edu/~hsg/264L/images/stm.jpg) 

I was also fascinated in how nanoparticles could be studied in ancient materials, a true combination of not only art and science, but also history as well (Gimzewski pt3, 1:25 - 2:52). Further emphasizing this motif of nanotechnology and art is how color can be reduced to nanosize which completely changes the way it can be perceived through quantum dots (Gimzewski pt4, 2:03- 2:39). 

Representing Quantum Dots (source: https://images.theconversation.com/files/552184/original/file-20231004-19-i1snbm.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&rect=143%2C24%2C3655%2C2727&q=45&auto=format&w=926&fit=clip) 

These themes continue into the sub-field of nanophotonics, which was fascinating to hear after learning about quantum dots. The Blue Morpho butterfly's beautiful iridescent wings are created through different levels of reflected light (Gimzewski pt5), tying more into how an understanding of nanotechnology can help create new artwork and new understandings of art.

Blue Morpho Butterflies, Each with Different Patterns (source: https://www.sciencefriday.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Morpho-composite%E2%80%93Nipam-Patel.jpeg) 


Outside of nature and artistic representations and even history, it's eye-opening to see how a larger understanding of nanotechnology can change perspectives and revolutionize every single industry. From edible coatings to topical medications and cancer treatments (Gimzewsky pt6 pt4), nanotechnology is present in every aspect of our lives. 



Works Cited 

Gimzewski, James. “Nanotech Jim pt2” YouTube, YouTube, 21 May 2012,

            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEp6t0v-v9c.

Gimzewski, James. “Nanotech Jim pt3” YouTube, YouTube, 21 May 2012,

            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0HCNiU_108.

Gimzewski, James. “Nanotech Jim pt4” YouTube, YouTube, 21 May 2012,

            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHCuZetAIhk.

Gimzewski, James. “Nanotech Jim pt5” YouTube, YouTube, 21 May 2012,

           https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OWc8nmHJmY.

Gimzewski, James. “Nanotech Jim pt6” YouTube, YouTube, 21 May 2012,

           https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL9DBF43664EAC8BC7&v=oKlViSKkPd0


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1 comment:

  1. Andrea FriasMay 31, 2024 at 8:13 AM

    Hi Kaylee! This is a super interesting blog post I loved your perspective on the intersectionality of Nanotechnology and art. I love how you incorporated nature and used the picture of the butterflies. I too was also fascinated by the use of nano particles throughout history which is something I did not expect.I also talked about how nanotechnology can alter the color of certain things and be used in art. I think your insight was super cool and beneficial to helping me further understand nanotechnology.

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