Unit 8: Nanotech +Art

After listening to the lectures and doing the assigned reading for nanotechnology this week, I was completely fascinated. I never knew how much nanotechnology impacted not just the study of science in the world, but also the immediate world that I live in. From energy, food, agriculture, and most importantly electronics, nanotechnology seems to make the world go around. The concept of changing the world from "the bottom up" is something that is pretty daunting. Imagining that within our lifetime things that we have come so accustomed to could be completely different because of things that we can't even see. 

Nano particles can even be viewed in ancient materials. For example, from part 3 of the lecture, he talked about nano-sized gold particles found in a cup known as Lycurgus cup. The cup looks green to the naked eye, but then when they were illuminated from the inside, the cup would turn red. I think that this aspect of nanotechnology was the closest thing that relates to "art" in a way that was easy for me to understand. Even though nanotechnology was not a hot topic of discussion during the time period that this cup was constructed. The fact that they have now been able to identify why the cup changes colors through the advancements of nanotechnology says a lot about how fast the

One of the most relatable aspects about nanotechnology that was mentioned was how zinc-oxide can be broken down into nano-particles and essentially be "invisible." Zinc-oxide is known to be a main "ingredient" of sunscreen and is often associated with being white and hard to rub in. However, with advancements being made through the scientific research of nanotechnology, it is now possible for sunscreen to have the same power of protection, but not be visibly white on the surface of someone's skin. 

In this picture, there is sunscreen on both sides of this guys face. One side is white from the zinc oxide and the other is also covered in zinc oxide, but it is not visible because nanotechnology made it possible for the sunscreen to have the same SPF power without leaving white marks behind. 

Works Cited 

          Gimzewski, Jim. The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of Fact and Fiction in the Construction of a New Science. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print

        Gimzewski, Jim. "Nanotech for Artists." Nanotechnology and Art Lecture. UCLA, Los Angeles. 22 May 2015. Lecture.

           “Introduction to Nanotechnology.” Introduction to Nanotechnology RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2015. <http://nanogloss.com/>.

         Lilley, Maiken. “The Art of Nanotech”. NOVA. WGBH, 18 Nov 2010. Web. 22 May 2015.

         "What Is Nanotechnology?" What Is Nanotechnology? N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2015.

Pictures

http://ssv.com.sa/ssv/index.php/en/news/showitems/3/Nanotechnology-&-MEMS

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/ist/?next=/history/this-1600-year-old-goblet-shows-that-the-romans-were-nanotechnology-pioneers-787224/

http://beautifulwithbrains.com/2009/08/17/is-nanotechnology-in-sunscreen-good-or-bad/

http://www.nanoandme.org/nano-products/cosmetics-and-sunscreen/